MERRY CHRISTMAS + THANK YOU

It's Christmas Eve again and the giddiness has started. It's hard to believe I'm writing my last post in 2011. Time sure flies! First and foremost, I'd like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas. I hope you are all celebrating with family and friends.

It's hard to find the words to explain what an mind-blowing year this has been for me. I'm living my dream and for that, I am thankful! I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all of the fantastic people I've had the chance to meet and/or photography this year. Thank you for yet another amazing year. I thoroughly enjoyed every wedding, graduation, photo shoot and studio session. Thank you for the likes, comments, feedback and continued support from clients, readers, friends, family and fellow photogs!

2011 was an awesome year, but I'm pumped for 2012. My to-do list is filled with many new projects and exciting adventures. Some of these new projects, including photography workshops, will be announce early in the new year. 2012 will Rock! But for now, I'm off to do one of my favourite things - spend time with my fiance and family, eat sweets and do the robot shuffle whenever requested (inside joke).

I leave you with a few more images from recent Christmas sessions.

Merry Christmas to all. Enjoy every second. See you in 2012!

MARY-JANE | {first photoshoot} newborn session

She's here! Deidre and Gary's little girl arrived on December 1st. Meet Mary-Jane.

DEIDRE + GARY | {a precious gift} maternity session

Its a special day, week, month for Deidre and Gary. They're expecting a baby! In fact, today is the official due date! I haven't heard yet whether baby arrived on schedule. I met with Deirde and Gary in early November for a maternity session. Since then, I've been spending alot of time in the studio photographing little ones of all ages. Over the past month, I've thought of Deidre and Gary a few times. They have lots of giggles and smiles to look forward to! During our maternity session, the couple were glowing. I think the happiness they felt shows in the images we captured. Take a look.

PENNEY + BRAD | {a beautiful beginning and perfect ending}

Well, this is it folks. Here are the images from my last wedding of 2011. Its hard to believe after 21 weddings, its all over. People often ask if I enjoyed one wedding more than the others. I can never pick a favourite. I tend to remember favourable moments from each.

Penney and Brad's wedding is a little different. It was my last! I truly could not have asked for a sweeter couple, a better location or a more beautiful wedding to end the season. Despite the cold and wind, I was determined to enjoy my last wedding and capture amazing images for my last Bride and Groom of the year. Working with such a wonderful couple made that possible. I thoroughly enjoyed the day and give worthy praise to Penney and Brad for braving the cold weather.

Penney and Brad were married at the Grace United Church in Springdale on November 12th. The reception that followed was held at the Riverwood Inn.

When I met with Penney prior to the wedding, she said they wanted a few images taken in an underpass at a local park. While I was familiar with the park, I wasn't familiar with the tunnel. In unfamiliar situations, you have to plan ahead. My initial thought was to use off-camera flash fired by pocket wizards.

A photographer can carry alot of gear. Sometimes its necessary. Sometimes its not. For these next few images, I left my pocket wizards in my bag. In certain situations, its nice to use the light available to you. Although it was steel and not your typical white ceiling for bouncing, I had a feeling the tunnel would provide great light from all angles. I love how the light on Penney and Brad is soft and romantic, yet we still got the cold, dark feeling of the tunnel in the background.

We had a nice break between the ceremony and the reception. This is great for a photographer! It allows time to "play."

Once I knew we had the above image - it usually takes two or three tries to get the light just right - I decided to turn the flash away from the couple and direct it toward the nearby tree. Why not!? We didn't move from the original location. Its amazing how different your image can be by simply moving your light source.