...more from Back to School

Hard to believe but it's time...

They've travelled the world and back again...

These two cuties happen to be my first ever clients from abroad. They, along with their mother, grandparents and cousin shared a sunny morning with me this past week. Another chance to try out my new wagon, more excuses to play, check out caterpillars and have some fun. I love my job!

There is no doubt this young man is going to be a heartbreaker when he grows up!

I had the tiny yellow leaf. His name was Pikachu.

My next share is of another family of four from Toronto. A bit of nature, a little Pokémon talk and a few knock-knock jokes... the kind of afternoon I'm pretty familiar with. These boys were adorable and the family as a whole, the kind that just makes you smile. Thanks for a fun afternoon guys. 

One more look back

This past year was a great one - lots of new faces to photograph, some familiar ones to see again and new friends made. Here's to all my 2009 clients. Thank you.

I love surprises, especially good ones!

When I book a shoot with a new client it's always a bit of a mystery. What will the family be like? what will they look like? will the weather cooperate? what will the location be like?... so many unknowns.

This past Sunday, I travelled to Toronto for a shoot. A shoot with new clients at a location I suggested but have never seen. You can't believe how thrilled I was when I arrived there to find out the location was AMAZING, the weather was ideal (mild, overcast... perfect in my mind) and a family with some of the most amazing red hair and freckles I have ever seen!

Thank you mom, dad and boys for a great shoot. Here are a few of my favourites from the morning...

Here comes the rain...

So... still in Kingston. Still threatened by rain, I finish session two and start heading to session three. Windshield wipers are going and hoping for another clearing. Drizzle starts to fade as I get close and once again the rain stops. We start to shoot - another beautiful family, more gorgeous fall colours... what more could you ask for.

This time we get in about an hour before the rain hits. Just enough time. Yes, we could have went longer but I think we got what we wanted. Here's the last Kingston family and their adorable dog Clancy who was more than willing to pose for every shot!

(this little guy is going to be a heart breaker in a few years!)








Thanks for a perfect end to a great weekend of shoots.

Out of our hands...

The weather is something that I have yet to find a way to control. And yet it kind of makes or breaks a shoot. I have NEVER had to cancel due to weather - ever! I've postponed for an hour or two but never cancelled so when I woke up in the hotel room Sunday morning and looked outside to see wet pavement and light rain my heart sunk. Kingston was not where I wanted to be when I had to cancel my first shoot. We had been planning these sessions for some time now and I did not want it all to fall apart because of a bit of rain.

Then, something rather miraculous happened. The rain stopped just as we were about to head outside and shoot. Although it threatened us a few times during the next couple of hours, we got our shoot in - with seconds to spare before it started to rain again. We literally had the perfect window of time to head to a trail, take in some gorgeous surroundings, head back home for a change and snack and do a bit more shooting. And to be honest, although everyone tends to wish for sun, a cloudy sky produces the most beautiful light for photos and this day was no exception.

Here's the second of three family shoots from this past weekend. Another amazing family (I seriously lucked out on this trip!)

How fast they grow...

Why does it always amaze me? I have two boys - I know how fast they grow and how quickly they change but why, when I see it in another family, does it surprise me so much?

I travelled to Kingston for three shoots this past weekend and had a great time with some super nice families. I met this first family last year in Toronto at an extended family shoot at Riverdale Farm. A gorgeous family - adorable kids... what more can I say?

This little guy wasn't even walking last year - now he doesn't stop (except of course for the 30 seconds it took to take this shot).





And his two older brothers... well, they simply got more handsome.










Thanks guys for a great day and the chance to travel a bit.

Sand in your toes

Have I mentioned I love repeat clients! This is another family I photographed last year and went back to Toronto this past weekend to see how much they had grown. It's amazing what can happen in a year! These kids are adorable - in fact I'm secretly hoping to set this little girl up with my oldest in a few years : )

Thanks for a fun evening at the beach.

Starting to catch up...

My computer is back after a week and a half of repairs which means I am going to be BUSY! Here's the first of the 3 sneak peeks I've yet to post.

I photographed this family last fall and it was one of my favourite shoots of 2008. They came back for another shoot a week or so ago and we had a great time again. I love photographing them - not just because mom is a friend of mine - but they're so fun and are always open to anything. And look at these kids... too cute!

My big guy...

One free hour on a nice summer night. One camera. One willing boy (willing to be bribed that is). And one bag of skittles...