a public garden photo session

It's not hard to take a good picture of a beautiful woman, so I feel I can hardly take much credit for these photos of the lovely Erinlee.

We met at the Public Gardens in the waning afternoon sun for our photo session. I really like working with individuals and couples (they're so much easier to direct than two year olds!). Erinlee was a wonderfully easy-going model who was an absolute pleasure to work with. I can't wait to get her two adorable dogs in on some more photo action very soon! :)

self portrait

I think once in awhile every photographer turns the camera on themselves. I've been feeling a bit introspective lately so I think the style of these self-portraits is appropriate: snapshots, trying to piece together the puzzle of this life. (Oh no... sounds like I've succumbed to those rainy day blues!).

black cab sessions

I don't know how this has flown under my radar for so long. I was up until ridiculous o'clock last night feeling awed and inspired by the awesomeness of the Black Cab Sessions. Be sure to check out The Kooks, Calexico and Emmy the Great.

why i love going home {reason #4}

A statue of Mary and lace casting shadows in the late afternoon sun.

a waiter identifies

I finished reading Waiter Rant last night and boy oh boy, if you've ever worked in a restaurant, or eaten in one, then this book is an essential read. I guess I'm saying then, that this is a book everyone needs to read.


The book is hilarious; the sections on Mother's Day, tipping, substance abuse... I'm sure my roommates thought me crazy, laughing hysterically alone late at night in my room.

But as a long-term "professional" server, this book struck so close to home that I almost found it uncomfortable to read. I identified myself in so many of Steve Dublanica's sentiments, especially this one:

"...Don't misunderstand, there's nothing wrong with being a waiter. But if you're a waiter who knows he should really be doing something else, the tension between what you are and who you think you should be can tear your psyche apart. It's like marrying one person but being in love with someone else."

Bingo. I'm sure that statement would bring tears to the eyes of many of my co-workers. I was relieved to read that the "black hole of serving" is a universal truth, not exclusive to my own group of friends.

Waiter Rant is great because the writer does ultimately break free from his trappings. The reader (especially this one) roots for him and is filled with hope. Yes, this book is about the delicate art of waiting, but more importantly it's a book about conquering your fears, pursuing and ultimately achieving your dreams, and finding peace with your place in the universe.

So while you're purchasing Waiter Rant online give this song a listen. I've only played it about eight dozen times in the past 48 hours. And no, I'm not exaggerating! Swing those hips baby.

cooper's wedding {the stagette}

Last night was Cooper's stagette. We started the day by making ourselves beautiful at Remedy Spa downtown on Granville Street. The girls that work there are super sweet and we left glowing and feeling rejuvenated.

I actually only have "official" photos of the this part of the day's events because as we all know, stagettes are BIG parties and while I was enjoying this BIG night out, I didn't want to worry about my BIG expensive, camera. >:)

The do-it-yourself facial bar is a real treat and you should give it a try. It was my first-ever facial and I was over the moon to share it with all these wonderful girls. xo.

mary jane & corey {say i do}

All wedding photographer's have to start somewhere. And somewhere is a scary, scary place. Unless you're taking pictures for Mary Jane and Corey. These two are the most laid-back, easy-going couple of which a first-time wedding photographer's dreams are made.

They got married on a balmy evening in their backyard a week ago today. The strings of lights cast a romantic glow over an evening filled with lots of love and lots of dancing. It was a pleasure to be part of their special day.

Mary Jane and Corey: I hope you enjoy your pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them. Thanks for trusting me to document your beautiful day. If all weddings are going to be like yours, I can consider myself a very lucky girl. :)

why i love going home {reason #3}

Homemade baby blankets for Hannah hanging on the line.

why i love going home {reason #2}

A paper crane mobile.

why i love going home {reason #1}

Mom makes the best desserts.

beautiful hannah

We had a small family get together yesterday and of course, the star of the show was my beautiful niece Hannah. I could watch her all day - staring intently at the world, trying to figure it all out - truly a miracle. Those eyes! Those rosebud lips!

It's a joy to watch Mom and Dad so happy with their first grandchild. If only I could have bottled all the love that was in this house yesterday... I could make the world a much better place. :)

my mother's happy spot

Meet my lovely mother. She is one amazing woman with many, many talents. Her kitchen skills are beyond compare and as you can see, so is her pantry. To quote: "I love my pantry." And it really is worth loving - organized, well-stocked and if a pantry can exude personality, this one does in spades. xo.

beer on the pier

Last Saturday I worked (and I use that term loosely) the annual "Beer on the Pier" festival. (Event? Extravaganza? Gong show?). The basic premise is that all the local microbreweries set up booths, you pay $40 bucks at the gate, they give you a 4 ounce mug and you proceed to drink yourself silly with a series of 4 ounce samples. It was super fun working it and even more fun when I discovered my passion for cider (as we happened to be placed next to the generous men of Strongbow . Yessss).

I didn't get the best shots as I didn't bring my camera bag (mistake #1) and I assumed there would be enough space to use my portrait lens (mistake #2... it was a pretty tight space with about a gazillion people). And then, I started drinking a lot of cider (mistake #3?).

So I learned some valuable lessons. Lesson #1: Never ever ever assume you know the situation and what lens you will need. Be prepared. Lesson #2: It's never a good idea to drink a lot of cider. :)

new lens!

I did it. I finally did it! I ponied up the money and bought a new lens. But not just any new lens. It's a sexy 80-200mm f/2.8. Okay, unless you're a camera nerd, that probably doesn't mean anything to you. But it sure does mean a lot to me.

I took my new lens on a spin through downtown earlier this week to suss out it's personality. I wanted to spend time with it so I could learn its idiosyncrasies, likes and dislikes, exactly what it's looking for in an image... :)

We had lots of fun. And here's the proof!

It was a scorching hot day. Doesn't this just scream lazy, hazy, dog-days of summer?!

The great thing about my new lens is that it's very long. That means I can be far away and people will never know I'm taking their picture. How paparazzi of me! It's kinda fun being sneaky.

Just seconds before I snapped this, the dude in the window dropped a box full of books and file folders into the dumpster two stories below. You can see two stray pieces of paper fluttering up and away from the impact.

This guy is usually on Spring Garden Road, but I guess the Buskers brought him down to the waterfront. I would imagine it's much more lucrative down there this week. He was pretty groovy.

The funny thing about carrying around a ginormous camera is how many people stop and talk to you. Usually I welcome the conversation. But while I was taking a rest in the shade, William rambled over to me and started talking up a storm. I learned from William that I would get much better use from my camera if I could meet someone who had a laptop. And I could hook said laptop up to a car battery. And then, and only then, would I realize my camera's full potential. At least he let me take his picture! >:)

Oh buses. You are my life. How I love and hate you at the same time.