holidays

I know that I have been a slacker when it comes to the blog.  Beyond the insanity of work and photos, my family has suffered a loss right before the holidays. :(

The last week has shown us on the westcoast a cold winter!  I have to say, although I hate driving in the snow, it is more than beautiful from inside, while making cookies for the holidays.  

I hope that you all are looking forward to family, the holidays, and relaxing... or at least that you all get a chance to!

So, to all my clients past, present and future; to my friends, and family; I wish you all the most happy of Christmases and a healthy and prosperous new year.

The blog is officially on-hold until the new year -- I look forward to sharing my photos with you all soon!

rarity!

I don't often photograph families - especially those with small children! - because my specialty is couples, and obviously, weddings.  But I just couldn't say no to Trevor and Roxanne and their twin girls.  Above are just a couple faves from their shoot at the end of November!

say what?

This is completely random - but can you even believe that it is December tomorrow?  Oy!

Anyone else excited for the holidays?

nostalgia. | wedding photography, powell river, bc

I'm slowly in the process of updating my site with new photos from all my 2008 weddings, and having a so much fun re-editing and the images. Every wedding is such a blast. I thought that I'd share some of my faves right now...

I'm so lucky that I get to photograph such gorgeous brides, eh?

high school musical | event photography, powell river, bc

Here is a sneak peek of some images from Fiddler on the Roof, the local high school's musical, currently playing at the Max Cameron Theatre. Let me just say - the show is fantastic! I'm so proud of all the students that have showcased their talent. Here's a couple images from last week's performance.

These kids are talented! I feel so lucky to be involved in events like this, and can't wait to see the other cast next weekend.

Like the good book says... go see it for yourself!

presenting...

My gorgeous new albums, available through KENNEDY PHOTOGRAFIK!  I'm really excited to be offering these high-end, completely custom books to my brides and grooms.  I think this just takes our photos to a whole new level!  

10x10 Galleria Album, in black leather

(also is available in distressed brown, ivory and scarlet and other sizes)

Quality printing has UV protective coating, all corners have protective metal edging

Album has a 3mm gutter in center, and lay-flat pages for easy viewing

Fabulous full-page spreads, custom designed for each wedding by moi!

My gallery DVD case (upgrade only), black leather, magnetic closure

DVD case with custom insert--makes a great gift for parents

It's been a couple months in the making, but I think that it was worth the wait.  I can't wait to show these babies off to my clients in the next couple weeks!  And, for all my brides and grooms from 2008, I'll be sending out an exclusive e-mail offer for the Galleria album in the next couple weeks!

ma familia | family photography, powell river, bc

Do you know how hard it is to take a picture of your own family? And run the distance when you hit the shutter timer? I guess that's why everyone looks so darn happy... they are secretly laughing at me to the "ten-second sprint" to be in the photo!

Without further ado, this is my family (from left to right): Brandon, me, Spencer, Drew, Andrea, Mom and Dad. I know this is a peek, but this is part of their Christmas presents this year, because it's been over ten years since we had a family photo done!

slacker!

yep.  that's me.

i've had an extremely busy month between meeting with clients, getting settled with new vendors (sexy leather coffee-table albums, anyone?), working, editing, and volunteer painting for the local high school's musical.  my head is still spinning.  so, i apologize for neglecting the blog...

i'm off to victoria for the weekend, but p r o m i s e to have some posts for you next week... i'm thinking the rad-tastic new albums samples and some fun familia photos!  stay tuned.

drew + andrea | engagement photography, powell river, bc

okay, it's late.  i know that!  during thanksgiving weekend, i managed to get my brother, drew, and his fiancée, andrea, away for an engagement photo shoot around town.  here are a couple of my favorites, but, they have to wait for the rest (christmas, perhaps?).  :)

the queen

I love the evenings where I can escape traveling with a camera... AND SEE MADONNA!  The concert was awesome, complete with floor seats, great tunes, AND MADONNA! :)  She's absolutely fantastic, and completely ripped for a 50-year-old.  The concert did not disappoint!  Anyone else go?

wine-o

late afternoon sun at see ya later ranch

the vines at blasted church vineyards & brandon and me at nk' mip

the desert cultural centre in osoyoos

at long last, i'm back from my hiatus, also known as a wine expedition in the okanagan.  the husband and i went armed with friends and a camera, and let the fun ensue.  we hit some of the best wineries in the lower okanagan, and lucked out with four gorgeous days of sunshine!

so, after countless swirls, sniffs and sips, we were all a bit tipsy, but came home with some fan-frickin'-tastic wines and thought that i'd share some of my favorites.  they come highly recommended. :)

sunday's picks

lang vineyards, naramata, bc - 2001 riesling icewine

our first 10 am tasting... and this was the best of what i could remember.

blasted church winery, naramata, bc - 2007 gewürtztraminer

amazing and citrusy... and welcome after the wait for the "wine snobs" ahead of us!  the view and pool at the vineyards was a-maz-ing.

inniskillin estate wineries, oliver, bc - 2006 chenin blanc

hello, lover.

monday's picks

sumac ridge, summerland, bc - 2006 stellar's jay brut

the tour is highly recommended, and we had the pleasure of sampling this sparkling wine in the cellar.  this ain't no baby duck.

see ya later ranch, okanagan falls, bc - 2006 riesling

this has been a favorite winery of mine for a while... one of the few that i can get in our local shop, but the view from the tasting room was worth the drive!  also, loving the 2004 ehrenfelser icewine.

tuesday's picks

gehringer brothers estate winery - 2007 desert sun, 2007 sauvignon blanc, 2006 late harvest riesling

this winery was awesome.  one of the oldest in the area, they had a vast selection of tasty varietals including those yummy icewines.  most bottles were reasonable, to boot!

we also visited: red rooster winery (naramata, bc), burrowing owl vineyards (oliver, bc), nk' mip cellars (osoyoos, bc), dirty laundry vineyards (summerland, bc) and golden beaver winery (oliver, bc... don't ask!)  shout-out to steph and roger and the fabulous victoria rd. bistro for the best lunch, EVAH!

all in all, it was too short, a bit too cold, a bit to much to drink, and way too much fun.  i'm a sucker for the vino, now, for life!

how did you... | photography, powell river, bc

I get a lot of questions about photography, and, honestly, I'm no expert. Far from. But I do have some great equipment and a degree in photography (film--which isn't a LOT of use nowadays!). Most important of my equipment, you ask?

Lenses, baby.

And, a Lensbaby. That's right. These little doohickeys are the funniest and funnest lenses going. It bends with my fingers. Provides great shots, like my FAVORITE macro "ring shots", and the image above. No, that isn't Photoshopping that makes the image stretch in and out of focus, it's the Lensbaby (2.0, to be exact). By moving the bellows (a.k.a. flexible tubing), I can hit "sweet spots" to create these selective focus images.

Dying to know more? Check out their website... here!

it just makes cents | event photography, powell river, bc

It's been a long time coming, but I finally finished editing the fashion show photos for the fundraiser, "It Just Makes Cents". This event was to raise moneys for the Oncology Room in the Powell River General Hospital, in the name of Jody Rodonets. It was a fabulous event in McKinney's Pub in the Rodmay, and ended with a fantastic party. Well done to the organizers and all that attended!

about me

I was tagged by Sarah!

Here are the rules.  Link to the person who tagged you.  Post the rules on your blog.  Write six random things about yourself.  Tag six people at the end of your post.  Let each person know he or she has been tagged.  Let the tagger know when your entry is up.

R A N D O M  F A C T S  A B O U T  M E

1. I am unnecessarily afraid of microwaves.  Particle-excitement = heat?  Weird.

2. I find myself saying "alrighty" more than I should.

3. I am born on the last day of the zodiac year.

4. Current musical obsession?  "Electric Feel" by MGMT.  And I now want to make a playlist that features songs all about animals.

5. I am really tired of people asking me when I'm having children.  I'll let you know.

6. I haven't done laundry in two weeks.  Do not judge!

Now, listen here.  I'm more of a blog "stalker" than a blog "follower" or "friend", so I don't have anyone else to forward it to, other than those who tagged me!  I'll update if I have some willing participants!

UPDATED - I have a volunteer!  Val... it's all yours! :)

a must :: photojojo

I really want to use my blog to help you all advance and flourish with your own photography, so I'm going to make the effort to post other blogs, sites, and information that I find exciting, interesting and relevant in photography today!  Oh, and fun stuff, too. 


Photojojo is an amazing resource for all sorts of photo-related goodness... must haves, techniques, tips and tricks, for amateurs and pros alike. I highly recommend you sign-up for their bi-weekly email newsletter with all the latest Photojojo-delightfulness... and you can do so here!

right corner pocket

sometimes all the elements of a great photograph are accounted for and carefully thought out... and sometimes, you just plain fluke out.  this is a shot from mckinney's pub from a fashion-show fundraiser that i shot last saturday.  i'm in love with the cross-processed colours and the motion blur... just thought that i'd share a personal fave.

fall romance | wedding photography, powell river, bc

without further ado, here are some of my favorites from j + c's wedding last saturday, october 4th. i am delighted with the photographs--the light from those dark storm clouds was awesome... and the whole portfolio has this fantastic vintage charm to it... chalk it up to the timeless red roses, autumn leaves, cowboy hats and the back of a barn... 

that last one... are you kidding me?  look at those amazing eyes and gorgeousness!

this group shot is sooo much fun!  i love umbrellas--and thanks all for braving the intermittent rain and really, really cold wind!

i heart fall | wedding photography, powell river, bc

it's not very often that i get to shoot a real fall wedding... complete with amazingly rich colours, falling leaves and well, i'll be honest, wind AND rain! here's a sneak peek at yesterday's happenings!

style me pretty

for my gorgeous brides to be... a little inspiration online at style me pretty, a bridal style blog!

wishlist

excuse me while i wipe the drool from my chin.  have a total daydream day, and thought that i would share all the fantasmic photo-related goodness that i can't wait to get my hands on.  drumroll please... here is my wishlist:

the new full-frame goodness that is the alpha a900.  with grip, of course :

a fantastic new photobag that's easy-peasy for wedding shooting :

what else?  a giant pro printer for my narcissistic self (kidding!), a shoot shop in southern california, a full-time assistant, a matte cutter... and an office to put it all in!

good news for me... at least the first two on my list will be in my possession by year end!  can i hear a hells yes?  tell me know... what are you wishing for?

last days of summer | family photography, powell river, bc

some of you will remember j + j from their wedding photographs (august 2007). here they are, a year later with their fur babies, kyra and oliver. i'm loving the second image... so warm and yummy...

ps. thanks for the brunch after the shoot! deeeeelish!

say cheese

my random internet and blog surfing has uncovered a true hidden gem!

trust me, this blog will change your life.

ashley's preview

I promised Ashley that I would get this up tonight, so here it is! And, for all others who want to look at an album design...

Anyway, this is your book, with 20 pages (ten spreads).  The one for Spencer's parents will have his family featured on spread 6 (instead of yours), and excuse the gutter (white line) down the middle of the 2-page spreads - it won't appear in the book!