My Kids

As a photographer, everyone always assumes that I have a lot of pictures of my kids. I always get the "you must have a tonne of pictures of your kids!" but in reality, not at all. At least, not as much as I probably should or at least not as much as everyone thinks.

So, yesterday, I decided to take some pictures of my kids. My wonderfully talented friend Shaun Bos, had so graciously lent me one of her lens', once again, and I figured I would go out and have some fun with my kids!

First of all, as every parent knows, sometimes it is difficult to get out of the house. For some reason, Kate decided to make a huge deal out of being asked to put her shoes on.Why going to the park has to lead into whining and crying , I will never understand! I mean, going to the grocery store, or the bank, sure! Because that is not a lot of fun for a 3 year old. But to the park?? Sheesh!

Needless to say, we made it out of the house...all of us in one piece...me and Kate, barely, but we did do it.

Off to the park we go!!

Kate was this baby who would smile and wave at anyone!! I mean those dimples were always showing...didn't matter if she knew you or not. She is also Daddy's girl.

Scott on the other hand, is our serious child. He will stare at you like you just got off a UFO from Mars. You can try as hard as you like, but no way. I am still not sure if even some of my closest friends have seen him smile! He, is a Mommy's boy.

Two completely different kids but, it is true what they say....boys and girls are so different.

This is 'serious' Scott.

Our smiley (not so smiley in this picture) Kate.

This is Scott, hanging onto my leg. The mama's boy.

Kate's favorite place to play...the dirt!

And, yes, Kate is wearing pink cowboy boots. Her favorite shoes to wear!!

Scott is wearing white socks with his black Dawg shoes. I didn't really think that one through. Ha ha!

This is what it looks like from this side of the bridge railing....

And this is what it looks like from the other side of the bridge railing.



And last but not least, my attempt at getting my kids to pose for me on a park bench. Not as much pose as getting them to smile...and to look at me! Stinkers.

Finally, updated pics of my kids! I hope everyone enjoyed looking at them and I hope at least one of them made you smile.

Terry Fox Run

                                                         

                                                                                                                                                                                                    Lisa Worman had contacted me a couple of months back and asked if I would want to be the volunteer photographer for the Terry Fox Run. My response was 'Yes, yes, YES!' Lisa and her husband, Shane, were this years organizers for the event.

It was held at Mission Sports Fields with lots of fun stuff to do. There were hula hoops, free coffee, free bananas and apples, hot dogs by donation, TFR t-shirts, displays, massage therapist and even entertainment! The playground was right there for the kids to play on and even a tent with a map and volunteer to show you the run/walk routes!

What an amazing experience!! I have always participated when I was in school but since then, never really thought about it. Why I am not sure, but now having been a part of that, having two kids and lost a Grandmother to cancer, I will either participate or volunteer from here on out. I will also be recruiting people to participate so, lookout family and friends!!

This little girl was dancing during the warm up.

This gentleman's name is Wally Dennison who is a 30 year participant!!

Anyone that is wearing a red TFR t-shirt is a cancer survivor. This is my favorite picture of the event.

This is (as Lisa Worman says ) the inspirational Michele Leboe.

Here are a couple of cuties!!

There were so many dogs there!!



This is Pam from All Activity Massage who donated her time and expertise for the day. I am sure there were alot of people thankful that she was there!!

The beautiful Lisa Worman!!

I am not sure if you can see it or not, but she does have tears in her eyes. They had just found out that approximately $60,000 was raised. The final total was over $70,000!!!

Thank you Lisa and Shane for putting on such a fantastic event. Thanks also for thinking of me for the photography, it was my pleasure and honor!

Jessica and Darren

There comes a time in a photographers career, when you get asked to shoot something new and exciting. Something that challenges you creatively and mentally. Now this is a wedding, which I have shot weddings a few times before (*wink), but it is another photographers wedding! That, in it self, is a challenge. First of all, you are completely honored when you are asked...I mean obviously I love and enjoy what I do, but to be asked to shoot another photographers wedding??!! Someone that you totally look up to and admire??!! I have to be honest and say that I was super nervous and still am as I edit these images.

Jessica and Darren are the most laid back people you will ever meet. Jessica just has this quiet, sincere energy about her. The kind that you know you can say or talk to her about anything, and she would never even think to judge you. Darren so just 'peace, love and granola'. What I mean by that is...he is just a really relaxed guy. He is so much fun to be around and you wouldn't ever think he had a care in the world. Put those qualities together and you get, Jessica and Darren. These two are so in love. When they kissed...they kissed! Not like a peck that you would see with couples who have been together for a long time but with love and sincerity and respect. Very cool.

These are just a few images, since I have been taking my time in editing these. I just really want to make these extra good for this amazing couple.

Ok. Here it goes!! (as I hold my breath!)

There will be more to come as there is more to this wedding than Jessica and Darren. Like those beautiful girls, Emma and Annie and of course we can't forget that oh-so-handsome Jack!!

To be continued......

The Monaghan Family

The Monaghan's have hired me to take photos for them, a few times over the last couple of years. Every time I have done a shoot with them, it has been interesting. Not bad, interesting, but Declan interesting.

Bob, Jennifer and Tessa are the quiet ones in the family.... and then there is Declan. This young man is such a ham!! Always laughing, making faces and sometimes making me laugh so hard that I probably missed a few good photo ops!

And now I would like to introduce you to the 'funny-ham-bone' himself........ Declan!!!!

Tessa is such a beautiful young lady. She was an absolute dream to shoot. She was more than willing to do anything I asked...even to be thrown in the pool!!

Here is the one and only 'dream-to-shoot' Tessa!!!

And of course we had to get brother and sister together!!

Bob and Jennifer had just put their pool in this past summer. They have such a beautiful home and yard, and, as they should be, are very proud of it.

Now this was one of the last pictures I had taken before the kids got thrown into the pool. Not long after, the kids ended up 'pushing' Bob and Jennifer into the pool. How much fun is that!!??? Something every kid wants to do to their parents.

After Jennifer was in the pool, soaking wet, the kids said "mom never gets her hair wet!!" Well, Tessa and Declan, here is proof that your mom does get her hair wet!

Thank you once again, Bob, Jennifer, Tessa and Declan. I always enjoy photographing you.

Uncle Dan's Cool Rides

So, as I was editing away this evening, I got thinking about my Uncle Dan's cool rides. He has a cool looking truck and car and I had taken a few pictures for him. Now, mind you, this was way back on Father's Day weekend and since he would not know what to do with a CD of the pictures, I decided to make him prints as well.
Ok, so, life gets busy, especially with kids and I have gotten the prints made but they are still here on my desk, staring at me. Needless to say, it has now been a few months and poor Uncle Dan still has not seen any pictures. Writing this blog may not do much better, unless my cousins or my aunt, show him this. If the guy could not make prints with a CD, we sure as hell know he wouldn't know how to find my blog!!

These are just a few funky ones that I wanted to share. (don't worry Dan..there are some regular ones on your CD...I mean prints..ha ha!)

I imagine a few of these would look good in a man cave or garage....or my little guys bedroom!!

Thanks for your patience, Uncle Dan. Your CD and prints will be in the mail next week. Promise!!
Love your favorite neice. ;)

Megan and Justin

Megan and Justin.

What a wonderful couple.

Megan is quiet and soft spoken and Justin has this deep serene voice that just makes you want to hug him. These two are from Abbotsford and decided to get married at a place they absolutely love...Megan's great aunt's house. This property took my breath away. It is literally in the middle of the mission, but you cannot hear or see any traffic and you get just a little peek of the next door neighbours. Very private and very beautiful. I could totally understand why they wanted to get married there.

Megan and Justin kept telling me that they 'just wanted one good picture'. Maybe this is it....?

Or maybe this one??

Or how about this one?

Megan says she doesn't like her smile...I am sure everyone would agree with me....her smile is amazing!

A very special friend of mine, by the name of Shaun Bos, helped me with this wedding. She is a very talented photographer and took some beautiful ring shots. (as well as many other photos but no room or time on this post!)

Thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your day, Megan and Justin. I hope that we got 'just one good picture' for you. Shaun...THANK YOU! I am so very glad you are my friend. :)

The Bottomley Family

This family is amazing! They have SO much fun!!

I shot some photos for this family a couple of years ago and when they had contacted me to do some more, I was super excited!! The 2 things I remembered most about this family was how good looking they all were and how much they smiled! I just kept thinking how much fun Christmas would be at their house.

I just have one boy...I am not sure how Marilyn did it. Twins first and then she wanted two MORE???

They should have called her Crazy Marilyn. Whatever they did to raise those boys, they did it right, that's for sure!!

What do good looking people make? Darn adorable kids!

Here's proof of the fun.

This picture literally made me laugh out loud. It was near the end of the shoot and I asked them to make faces. Check out the baby...she is only 10 months old. :)

Thank you Bottomley family! I will take your pictures anytime or anywhere..that is a promise!