lindsay + mike + spencer

I was so happy that Lindsay + Mike invited me over to their place to take photos of Spencer. Hands down, he is the jolliest, happiest, smiliest baby I have yet to photograph - an absolute dream! We got some amazing shots from our session and I'm really excited to share some of my favourites here. Thanks again for a great morning of shooting!

dreaming of...

...warm breezes, walks on the beach and the company of a best friend. come on spring!

on black & white images

I cannot get enough of these kids! For those of you who know me, you'll also notice that little miss Hannah is conspicuously missing from this series. I happened to land at their house smack dab in the middle of her nap. But no worries, she will undoubtedly be featured soon.

It was brought to my attention last night (by a super awesome someone) that I've been tending towards black and white in my photos. It wasn't necessarily a bad thing, just an observation. And it was interesting that it was brought up last night because yesterday, my sister-in-law asked me for a colour version of a photo of Joshua that I had originally sent only as black & white. And it made me go, "Hmmm... why colour? The black & white version is obviously superior." (Just kidding Kelly!) But it did tweak something in my brain that perhaps other people don't swoon over black & white the way I do.

So... why all the black & white? I couldn't put my finger on it immediately but after mindful consideration, I realized a few things.

1.) I think colour can overwhelm the eye and draw a viewer's attention away from the intended purpose/message of the photograph. The emotion/action of the people in the image can easily escape a viewer's eye if all they see if the hot pink Barbie convertible in the foreground.

2.) A black and white image depends more strongly on the content of the image - how an image is "constructed" becomes more important - all the things you think about in every art form: lines, form, light, texture, shape and space.

3.) Most importantly, a black and white image is timeless. The colour choices of clothing, decor or even post-processing provide clues as to when an image was taken. Strip away colour and you're left with the pure emotion of an image. The viewer's mind fills in the details and the image instantly becomes a more personal experience. For example, the image of Rhianna below was originally her showing me her new shirt. The black and white image is not about Rhianna's new shirt, it's about Rhianna - her beautiful spirit and crazy energy. Take out colour and it's a documentation of childhood exuberance. It's a piece of childhood that potentially engulfs the viewer in nostalgia. To me, a black and white photograph is instantly relate-able.

4.) And that's why I tend to black & white, in case you were wondering. :)

charlie turns one

I love birthday parties! And this one was especially fun because it was held at On the Grow in Bayer's Lake and the birthday girl was the cutest ever! There were cupcakes and cake, slides and things to climb on and of course, proud grandparents with cameras.

This was my first time shooting a party and I thought it was super fun. Thank-you Lindsay for inviting me to share this special day with you and all your lovely family and friends!

kyla + marc + karlyn = love

It's always a teensy bit nerve-wracking going to someone's home for a photo shoot. You never quite know what you're going to walk into and of course, I'm always plagued by the "what if I can't get a good shot?" doubts.

But the instant I walked in the front door, Kyla and Marc put my nerves at ease. These two are the most easy-going, warm and welcoming folks you'd ever want to meet. I felt comfortable right away and knew this was going to be an enjoyable hour.

Their baby girl Karlyn is an absolute pleasure. She was so well behaved and the camera loves her. I got some absolutely breath-taking shots of this blue-eyed beauty.

I wasn't able to capture an a-one traditional family portrait (it's hard to get everyone looking at the camera with a normal expression!). But what I think I did do, was capture a moment in time - a new family in love with each other and so very happy. (I'm sure Merlot the Cat is happy too, despite his grouchy scowl!)

Thank-you Kyla and Marc, for inviting me into your home and allowing me to share in this special time!

here comes trouble!

Another shot of Rhianna, this time enjoying a game of Trouble. I absolutely love taking shots of kids doing what kids do best - playing and having fun. It's such a happy and sacred time in our lives that I consider it a privilege to document it... and by doing so, hopefully remind people to hold on to this care-free attitude and embrace the importance of PLAY! xoxo.

sarah & joel {in love}

After months and months of talking about it, Sarah, Joel and I got together for their engagement shoot in January. Sarah wanted to do it outside on the beach because Joel proposed on a beach... God love their hardiness because it was COLD and you can barely see how freezing Sarah is in any of these images. Afterwards, I don't think I felt my fingers for 45 minutes!

But these shots were totally worth it. Sarah is stunningly beautiful and her and Joel simply glow. You can tell that these two are meant to be together and it's wonderful to see two people so in love. Hopefully their wedding down south this Spring will be a touch warmer than this day was. :)

four decades of love

Ever since I first started taking my photography seriously, I've wanted to do a shoot with Mom and Dad. But you know how it is - there's never time or it's never convenient. And one sad but true fact I've observed is that as people get older (and I'm talking sometimes 35 or 40!) they become more and more reluctant to have their portrait taken. I don't know why, as the stories on people's faces become ever-so-much-more interesting with every day that passes.

But I digress. One fine fall day this November as they were driving me back to Halifax, the sun was slanting at such an angle that I absolutely had to pull over and get some shots. My parents essentially had no choice in the matter. And just like that, their impromptu photo shoot began.

Have I mentioned before how amazing my parents are? Well, they are. And I consider myself a lucky pup to have witnessed the growth of a marriage - a delicate balance cemented by love - that I can refer to as a healthy and vibrant reference point when navigating my own life. For two people to have been in love every single day for over 40 years is nothing short of incredible. And I really do think these pictures highlight something magical. xo.

PS: This jumping shot was all Mom's idea. Seriously!! :)

a morning's contemplation

I don't know why I've had a hard time pinning myself down long enough to blog lately. My mind has been scattered and my heart has been pulled in many directions. Consequently, my focus has been a tad blurry, if not completely lacking these past few weeks (er... months).

The drama of life continues to unfold on a daily basis. The thoughts of, "have I chosen the correct path?" and "how am I going to make this work?" continue to poke holes in my normally determined and hopeful bubble of thoughts. I've been getting discouraged with my job-that-pays-the-bills and have been employing lame excuses for Not Getting Anything Done. (I have a headache. My room is too messy and is stifling my creative flow. And so on).

But this morning as I looked at the light falling on my delicious cream cheese brownie (made in celebration of a dear friend's birthday) sitting on its immaculate white plate, I felt something creep in and nestle in my heart. Was it the promise of spring? Was it a renewal of faith that everything will be OK and all is well? Was it the whispering of, "don't forget about the small things that really matter?" I don't know what it was, but it felt warm and good and my stomach felt fizzy with excitement.

It's so easy to get bogged down with the must-dos, should-have-dones and the don't-really-matter-details that I sometimes forget to broaden my mind to the bigger picture and those things that truly bring me joy. And sometimes all you need as a reminder is delicate light cast on a homemade brownie.

(These are easy and delicious. Click HERE for the recipe from Betty Crocker).

i get along with a little help from my friends

This blog post is dedicated to the wonderful people I call friends. These beautiful people make life magical. Why don't you click here and shed a tear while you think about how amazing your friends are too. xoxo.

(All images taken September 12, 2009 at Cooper's wedding).