Thursday, December 31, 2009

Happy 2010!






The new year is fast approaching, and with it brings many hopes and dreams for the coming year.


After hearing a few friends talk about challenging themselves in the new year, I've decided to put my energy into a photography project.  While many people attempt a Project 365 (a picture a day for a year), I know that this is just plain unrealistic for me and our family.  I'm therefore going to attempt a Project 52, and challenge myself to a minimum of one photo a week. 

Some people choose themes for their projects (eg. the changing seasons or their kitchen table http://tablebyawindow.blogspot.com/ ), and while I think these are both extremely interesting, I'm going to leave it open and see if a theme presents itself to me through my pictures over the year.

Now that I've commited to this in writing, I hope that you will encourage me in my exploration of my hobby and profession and hold me to my project!

Best wishes to you all for the coming year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Sunday, December 27, 2009

gallery.wrap.love.

My absolute favourite image for the year is of my youngest daughter snuggled up on a fuzzy blanket. 

After much debate I finally decided to enlarge it and to display in our home. 

We have framed pictures on every wall in our house so I was looking for something a little different and stumbled upon this new love of mine... gallery wraps!


















It is definately something I will be recommending to friends and clients alike.  What an amazing way to display your beloved images! 

Does anyone else have a favourite way to display their family pictures?  I'd love to see!  Post a link in the comments section below to share.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

Siblings

Two nights ago I asked my children to get dressed in their nice clothes and come with me downstairs to my studio to get a nice shot of them together for our annual Christmas cards.  Although there is a massive age gap between the oldest two and our youngest, they all love each other dearly and enjoy each others' company very much.  While I tried desperately to get them to 'pose' for a picture, this gem came out of the mess of giggling and tickling and fighting over the "Nice" Santa hat.  It didn't go out on our cards, as it shows off the beautiful orange tinge of little J's skin due to her refusal to eat anything but baby food still, and I really wanted everyone to be able to see their beautiful little faces...  but it is one I plan to frame and keep for many, many years.  This glimpse at a tender moment shared between siblings brings tears to my eyes when I look at it and reminds me of the true magic of this time of year!


Sunday, December 13, 2009

The Cookie Exchange!

This month is literally flying by me!  I've been so busy with my photography and holiday preparations that I've had little time for posting on here!

I was invited to take part in a cookie exchange at the beginning of December by a friend whom I've recently reconnected with via Facebook.  I'll have to admit that he thought of making dozens and dozens of cookies was a bit overwhelming, expecially with all we have going on in our lives lately!  However, the thought of connecting with others, a couple of hours with adult conversation and meeting new people drove me to RSVP that I would be there!

I tend to throw myself heartily into whatever task is ahead and after the baking was done (with a LOT of help from my WONDERFUL Mom!) I decided I couldn't just throw my squares in a bag and leave it at that.  Of course, I created more work for myself by having to have nice little Christmas plates with ribbon tyed around them.... and I couldn't just print off a plain Word document with the recipe!





















....and I couldn't just print off a plain Word document with the recipe!





Feel free to forward this post and share the recipe with everyone... it's been in our family and made by Mom for many years around Christmas time and we all love it! 

The cookie exhange itself was great, thanks so much for organizing it, A! 

The cookies, squares and brownies that people brought to share were absolutely amazing and I'm having a hard time keeping the kids out of them!


Wishing everyone joy, love, and tasty treats this holiday season!

Thursday, November 5, 2009

Special Draw!

Hi everyone! 

I've seen lots of people giving away prizes in order to promote their Facebook pages or webspaces so thought I'd run with the crowd, as it's a great idea!

To promote my Facebook page ( http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/cbphotography/127570093150?ref=ts ) I am holding a draw for one FREE 2009 Holiday mini-session here in Kamloops, B.C. 

All that you need to do to enter is send invites to 10 friends to become fans, post to my wall to let me know that you have, and your name will go in for the draw!  Yes, it really is that easy!

The closing date is the 20th of November and the draw will be held on the 21st.

The winner can use this session or pass on a certificate to a friend or family member for Christmas but it must be booked before the end of January 2010.

Good luck to everyone and hope to see one of you very soon for a special Holiday mini-session!

Monday, November 2, 2009

Happy Halloween

After a fun, sugar packed weekend, I finally had a moment to put together some pictures of my kids.



We hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Halloween!

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

2009 Holiday mini-sessions!

Exciting news for the upcoming month!


I've decided to offer a few holiday mini-sessions during the month of November!

The session fee is $50 for a family of 4 ($5 each additional family member) and includes a consultation, a half hour mini-session, a private online gallery to view your images for 2 weeks and 12 custom designed 5 x 7 flat Christmas cards. 




















Additional cards and prints are available to order.  

Christmas cards take between 1 and 2 weeks from the time of order to delivery.

Limited spots are available for this offer.  Session fee is payable in full upon booking to secure your spot.


I look forward to hearing from you and booking your holiday session!

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Halloween Preparations!

We're all big fans of Halloween in our house and this year is no exception.  We've got costumes picked out and M spent his last day off doing some decorating outside.  J and I came outside to watch Daddy's creativity for a little while and of course my trusty camera was by my side :)


This is the front door of our house... before and after I had some fun editing :)



Here are some of the other decorations that Marc put up... the first is a ghost banner that Hannah made at school!







Friday, October 2, 2009

Fun in Kelowna

Last weekend we went for a day trip to Kelowna, about 2 hours drive from our home in Kamloops, British Columbia.


















It's a beautiful place, it was a warm, sunny fall day and I had many opportunities to play with my camera!






The weather in Kelowna makes it a perfect place for orchards.  There were so many near where we were playing ball that day that had fruit falling from the trees and just going to waste on the ground.  It was beautiful in such a sad way.  What a waste!













This was definately a highlight of the trip to the beach!







There are so many beautiful gardens around Kelowna... I had to stop and photograph my favourite flower!

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Thompson Rivers University

Last weekend I had the pleasure of holding a family session at the TRU gardens behind the Campus Activity Centre.




When holding sessions at new locations, I enjoy arriving early to get a feel for the setting and get my equipment ready.




The horticulture gardens are a wonderful location for family, individual or wedding photography. I think it usually needs to be booked in advance but we were lucky enough to find no one around on a beautiful, sunny Sunday afternoon!



Sunday, August 23, 2009

Never leave home without...

... clean underwear and your camera!

While out running errands this morning, my husband heard on the radio that there was another fire south of town near the home of one of our friends.  He asked if I wanted to take a drive to see where abouts it was and when we arrived we had an AMAZING view of the bombers dropping retardant... once in a lifetime opportunity and I didn't have a camera with me!

We headed home, had lunch, fed the baby, got the camera and headed back out, hoping that we hadn't missed all the action.  The bombers had left but the two helicopters were still battling the blaze.


You also never know what you'll find when you go for a drive in the wilderness...
...or who you will meet there!

Friday, August 21, 2009

Vancouver/Nanaimo trip

On August 18 & 19 I had the pleasure of heading to the coast with my family. 
It was a family trip but I'm never far from my camera!

A fresh beginning!

As my photography has evolved into a business, I have started and re-thought websites and blogs.  I am again restarting a blog, this time with one that can link to my website!

I've been extremely busy with the kids and am looking forward in some ways to September when we can finally get on a schedule and I can have some actual chunks of time to devote to my work.

cbphotography is now on Facebook and I've posted the link to my webpage on many of the Kamloops groups and pages on there.  I've recieved a lot of positive feedback and have a few people wanting to book appointments for sometime in September.  I've even had an inquiry about photographing a child's birthday party which would be so much fun!  I really hope that works out :)