Time to Open up a little..

It's always been something that I admire in others, especially other photographers. The ability to blog on a regular basis and open themselves up to the world. I love reading some blogs and don't often miss a day without checking for new posts. All of the advice I hear is to blog - blog more, blog regularly, blog about everything - that way it is easier to let clients know more about who we are as people as opposed to just being photographers. It's kind of like when we're kids and we see our favorite teacher in the grocery store and think, "Wow, they leave the school AND they shop for food, just like me!" It helps us all relate on a very real level.

It's definitely been on my mind to be more diligent about my blogging, but when I sit down, all of the doubts start creeping in: will there be anyone reading? what will I talk about? can I write? how much do I want to share? where do I start? So I've decided that because I really have so many things to say, that I will just start. Start and see what happens, you know? And if no one's out there reading just yet, no worries... they will catch up :)

Let's start with some basics.  I am 42 years young, a wife to a very wonderful husband, Doug, and mom to two great kids, Jonah who's 11 and Tagen who's 9 . We live with a sweet little black puppy named Leila, a mini-Rex indoor rabbit named Charlie and two outside cats - Jinx and Rex (we're thankfully on an acreage - a very good thing!!) We live a very nice life, here in Cold Lake, and except for the 6 months of winter and few shopping options, it is almost perfect.

Before I was a photographer, I was a teacher. I taught French Immersion Kindergarten and Grade 1, and loved it.  Especially the kids - loved, loved the kids!  Then once I had my babies, I had to make a decision to go back or to stay home with my own kids and figure something else out. With my love of photography and the help of those already in business, it was a no brainer - photographer was my new chosen profession! I will get more into the ins and outs of how this journey has been in later posts, I'm sure, but all in all, it was a very good decision!

Here are a few other things that, in getting to know me, you may like to know - like,  I am a Mac girl (and an apparent Mac preacher, when someone in the room is complaining about their PC that is!), I shoot Canon (my 50mm 1.4 lens is my newest friend), I love cookies and chocolate and coffee and Chinese Food and cherries ( 'c' things seems to be a theme here).  More importantly, my love and loyalty to my family, close friends and to my faith are strong and ever present, and I love to learn, to listen, to laugh and to grow in my spirit on a daily basis. 

And there you have it!  My first personal blog post!!  Unbelievable, isn't it?!  I will leave you with a picture of our family with Mickey, on our first trip to Disney.  

Good night, blog readers!  

Until next time,

Crystal

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!

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!

Beautiful Boys!

I had these brothers for a shoot this July. Mom wanted them together, and then whatever I could manage of the little one alone. I think we managed just fine - what fun! The last shot cracks me up everytime..