First wedding of 2008!

WARNING!!! I have posted a lot of images from the wedding I shot this afternoon! It was my first of the year, so to go along with the nerves, I was also very excited to get back into the swing of things. I'm sitting here at 11:22 p.m. with a glass of wine (how many jobs are you allowed to do that in??!), working on Melody & Darryl's images, and I just can't stop! I keep on finding more that I want to look at and edit. They're a gorgeous couple, and we had some great locations. The white hallway was awesome! So bright and clean looking. We popped over to the Gov't House afterwards for a few outdoor shots, even though the goosebumps were very visible on the poor girls. Thanks for toughing it out :) As I'm working on these, you guys are all still at your reception partying the night away. I hope you're having a great time!









And a bit of Rider Pride thrown in!

My Orchid

A good friend of mine just moved back to town after being gone for a few years, and she brought me a beautiful orchid. Really, it should be me getting her something as a welcome back present, but she's one of those incredibly thoughtful wonderful people who just make you feel special when you're in their presence. I'm so happy she's geographically closer. If you see this, thanks! You're precious :)

The first shot is the original, the second I did sort of antique-y (not a word I know, but it is in my world)

My backyard, with people!

Today I got to use the backyard with actual clients! I've wanted to do an image with a little kid in the chair in that field all winter, and I finally got my chance. It was pretty cool out, but kids don't care. We had fun playing on the slide, running around in the field and just generally goofing around. And oh yah, we got some cool pictures too!
Hope you guys enjoy the sneak peak. Sorry I didn't get them up last night!

My backyard

Well, sort of my backyard. We really have no backyard, but behind our house is a big open field with a bit of a slew behind. But it has beautiful cat tails! I was going out to try and take some pictures of some geese that come there every year, but they left by the time I got my camera out, so I just shot some for fun instead. I was able to get one of each of the boys as well, but not without a lot of deleting of frames! It took me forever to get a good smile out of Aiden. He's at that age where they decide that they need to make a face every time you break out the camera. I had to sneak one of him to get a good one :)

A good friend with good coffee

I celebrated a birthday over the weekend (a whopping 31 years of life!) and my girlfriend stopped by after lunch today for a visit. She brought me a jar full of hazelnut coffee beans. But of course, it wasn't just a plain jar. She covered it in cool paper, and had the words LIVE, LAUGH, LOVE adhered on the side. She's such an amazingly creative woman. Everything she puts her hands on turns to art, whether it's framing dried leaves, baking, or planting flowers. She's just one of the most talented people I know. Here's a few shots of her little girl. She turned 1 after Christmas, and she does a lot of sign language to communicate. In the image where her hand is up, that is the sign for dad. Pretty smart little chicky!

The Sensuous Senator

This afternoon we went to an afternoon matinee performance of the play The Sensuous Senator. Our local thespian group put on a dinner theatre on friday and saturday, and a matinee today. It was fantastic!! The play was about an American Senator who is running for president under the platform of restoring family values, fidelity, and the sanctity of marriage. Of course, on the side, he has a girlfriend. He also calls an escort service as soon as his wife leaves town for the weekend. As expected, trouble and confusion ensue. Our local actors did such an amazing job, and the play itself was incredibly funny. For those of you who saw it this weekend, I'm sure you'll agree. Congratulations guys! You made us all laugh, and we're so proud of you and all the work you put into the production. We hope to see another one next year!!



On Saturday I took my boys bowling in Melville. For those of you who think that Saskatchewan is all flat, and boring, and full of treeless expanses, I want to show you a beautiful view that is only 1/2 and hour from Grenfell. It's our version of mountains! It's the stunning Qu'appelle Valley. It looks so pretty now, even before the leaves have started to bud. It's real splendor is in the autumn, but it has a gorgeous look at all times of the year. I had to pull over on the side of the highway and take a shot. I've lived down south for a decade, and had never gotten a good shot of the valley. Now I can say I have!

my little dude

I was just testing a new lighting technique the other day on my little guy, and had to share. Of course I'm biased, but isn't he too cute?!

The most precious gift...

Today I got to meet a little girl who's mom and dad had me photograph their wedding. I've said it before, but I just love how I get to grow with families. I've photographed grads, then booked their weddings. Then photographed weddings, and booked in sessions for their pregnancy, newborns and children. I feel so honored that they are trusting me to capture those moments in their lives. I used to be scared to photograph newborns, but I've done a few in the past little while and really enjoyed them. I encourage people to get professional photographs done of their little ones, even if it's not through me (I'm not trying to be a salesperson). I just think it's so important, as they will never stay the same for very long throughout their childhood. You will never regret having your child professionally photographed. It's such a rewarding experience for both you and your photographer. Don't miss out on the priceless keepsake of photographs of your child.





Such a sweet smile! I know it was just from gas, but who cares. It's so cute :)

Saturday's sessions

I had two sessions on saturday, and had so much fun with both. They were both so cooperative! The little baby came in and was in a great mood, so that always makes things easier. The dress she's wearing with the bonnet is her great grandmother's. I photographed her older sister in it about 3 years ago as well. The crocheted dress was her grandmother's, so they are both very meaningful (and beautiful!) And I love my new background, so everything was just peachy ;)
After lunch I had another grad student come in for casuals. She was willing to run around town shooting, even though it was fairly chilly. It just makes my day when people are game for going outside, even in our crazy Saskatchewan weather. We had fun and her boyfriend was great with the reflector. Thanks Jordan!



I love her expression in this one. Such a happy girl!



My new favorite spot, the red Windsor block doors!



Anyone from Grenfell will surely recognize the "Pepto Bismal" wall. And everyone thought it was a crazy color to paint the friendship center. I think not. It's terrific! Now we've got to get the old library painted a citrus lime green or something. May as well make the whole street pop!


Quite possibly the sassiest, hippest gown picture I've ever done. I'm using the fan next year for cap and gown. It adds some flare! Never thought of it before.

Small Town Urbanite

I'm so excited about this new session I plan on offering (when the weather warms up a bit!) It's called the Small Town Urbanite Session, and it's all about clicking pics around town. It's geared towards 1-2 people, and I see doing alot of kids, teens and couples. These sessions will be a ton of fun, cause we'll basically spend an hour or so playing. A few locations that I've used around the Grenfell area are, of course, the railroad tracks (a favorite of many), the Windsor block (don't worry, it's newly refurbished, and has cool red doors!), the playground, Howard Derby's vehicle graveyard, brick or stone buildings, and many others.

I've got four different packages available for these sessions. All include a customized leather album, with tons of images filling the pages. There are various sizes, and upgrades are available. If you're interested in these sessions, either for your grad, child or you and your b'friend (or girlfriend, but I'm guessing more girls are looking at my blog than boys), just drop me a line. No obligations, I'll just send you out a PDF with all the info. pmphoto@sasktel.net

I also have a really cool petti skirt coming in a few weeks that I'm dying to try out around town. I'll do a test session when it gets in and post pictures. I think it will fit little girls from about a year to probably 5 years old (elastic waists rock!)



This isn't my picture, just a shot of what the petti looks like that I ordered.

Here's the Small Town Urbanite Style

Baby on the way!

I did this girl's wedding early last summer. Now they're expecting their first baby! Her husband is actually my husband's cousin, so it makes it even more exciting for me to get to photograph this event for them. Here are a few of my favorites.