miss j | Classic Blue Photography | kamloops portrait photographer

i have known this wonderful lady for many years, and had the pleasure of heading out into the wilderness with her for an afternoon of laughing, talking and reconnecting.  life gets busy and although we don't see each other often, and talk just a bit more than that, we always seem to be able to pick up where we left off!

she is a jill of all trades, and is just such a delight to spend time with! 

did I mention that she hearts john deere?

thanks for a great afternoon, j!

saying goodbye | Classic Blue Photography | kamloops pet photography

Eight and a half years ago we began a new journey as a family when we adopted a little black fur-ball and added to our wonderful family of four. She was a black Lab/Newfie cross and had been called "Rollie" by the SPCA... but my children decided that Blue would be a better name for her, as they were lovers of Blue's Clues.  My husband thought that it was a great name too, as it is a beer name ;)

Blue grew with our family, as we added a cat and eventually another child.  She loved playing with the cats (both Molson 2004-2008 who went missing, and Rockstar, our current kitty that we got for Christmas 2008).  She rough-housed with the cats, entertaining our guests as she held the cats' head in her mouth and the cat grabbed onto her back legs and started gnawing on them.

Many years ago, while out on a walk, we came across a soother that had been lost by an unfortunate child.  Blue picked that thing up in her mouth, brought it over to us and got tons of pets.  That was when her nickname "Baby Blue" was created.  We brought the soother home and though she didn't walk around with it in her mouth, she would often go find it and bring it to us when she was looking for attention.

Yesterday, we had to say goodbye to our beautiful baby girl.  It feels like it was much too soon, but we know she is not hurting anymore and enjoying her days in the warm sunshine...chasing her friend Molson, swimming in the lake and rolling in the occasional cow pie.

We love you and miss you so much already baby girl!

Fall time fun!

Last weekend the family went for a drive to enjoy the beautiful show that fall is putting on for us in our area! My oldest brought along her Halloween cape and we had some fun with the camera.

I edited this image using multiple layers.  The first was with my daughter in front of the trees, followed by two layers at 30-50% opacity of just the forest over top.  I then used the eraser tool to let my daughter's image through.  I love the way it turned out, with the trees looking so ghostly around her and she looks like she's outlined and glowing!

!!! WARNING TO KAMLOOPSIANS !!!

I've always thought "that can't/won't happen to me or my family". 

Today it did.

Today my 12 year old son noticed a small, older, red pickup truck driving by his school as he was leaving. 

Today, about 10 minutes into his walk, my son had that same little red truck pull up beside him.

Today a driver wearing a hoodie and a blue baseball cap, leaned out his window and said "Little boy, do you want a ride home?"

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My kids are well versed in what to do in situations like this, as I have a social work degree and did work in the field for years before getting into photography full time.    I know the very real dangers and often talk to my kids about potential threats.  I also always make sure to not put names or faces to these potential dangers (or strangers), as it could be someone as innocent looking as a little old lady or St. Nick.

Today, Santa was the bad guy... at least that was the thought going through my head as my son's voice hastily explained to me what had happened and what this man looked like.  Old with a huge white beard like Santa.

As soon as he was home safe and sound, we called the police and filed a report.  When the officer showed up to take my son's statement, more details emerged as he remembered them.  Possible rust on the vehicle, a big metal toolbox in the back, the hoodie.

The officer was wonderful as he praised my shaken son for hurridly walking away and pulling out his cell phone where the man could see it.  Quite possibly, that was the reason why he wasn't further pursued.  He had a phone, and he wasn't going to hesitate even a second to use it!

Please, please, please, learn from this terrifying experience and share this information with everyone you can think of.  Make sure your children aren't walking to and from school alone.  Make sure they know what to do in a situation like this.

This is apparently not the first report that's been made of someone fitting this same description... AND HE HASN'T BEEN CAUGHT!!!

Be safe Kamoops, and hug your babies tight!