A Photography Preview for Reche & Family

When I first received the booking form filled out by Reche, I knew hers was going to be a fun shoot.  You see, the two of us have a past connection.  Her brother and I were very good friends back when we were still teenagers and young adults.  It seems like a lifetime ago now, but good friends never really stop being friends – even when they lose touch.  So getting to see Reche, meet her family, and work with them all really was a treat. 

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… the best family sessions, are those when the kids are allowed to just be themselves.  Let them play, let them show off their personalities.  Sure, it’s nice when everyone is looking the same direction, but those captures that really show how a family is together, that shows those connections?  It really is SOOO much better.

Thanks for the chance to work with your family, and reconnect with you Reche.  It really was a treat!

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My Online Portfolio: how would you like to browse my galleries?

I’ve begun the long process of updating my online portfolio.  Today I’ve already put in six hours – and I’m not quite half way through pulling images from the last years worth of shoots.  I shouldn’t have let it get so far behind, but what can I say?  I love shooting, I love editing…  but pulling photos for my portfolio?  Not my idea of enjoyable.  So I let it slide.  Which is why it’s now such a large undertaking.

I’ll admit it, when I first set up my photography website I didn’t go all out when putting together the portfolio pages.  Which is part of why I’m now in the conundrum I’m in.  Do I keep them as is?  Or is it time for a major revamp?  I’m seriously looking for thoughts here.

When you browse through my portfolio in the future, how would you like to see things arranged?  Do I keep things as they are (weddings, people, animals, and things)?  Would you like to see things sorted by the type of shoot each image represents (couples, individuals, families, animals, weddings, events, and other)?  Or is there some other way you’d prefer to browse?  How would it be easiest for you?

Please take a minute to let me know your thoughts – even in just a couple of words.  My online portfolio is there for YOU, so I want to ensure it’s set up in such a way that you find it as easy as possible to use.  And thanks in advance.  I really do appreciate your willingness to share.

Grrrlz R Awesome – a photography preview

So, I’m all caught up and am able to resume running my photography business how I’m happiest.  Only a few shoots a week – which means I can edit those shoots in the same week.  I am decidedly a much happier photog when I don’t have to keep my customers waiting on their photographs. 

Today I got to work with a delightful Mom and her two daughters.  We really did have a lot of fun.  Belinda was a little nervous about our shoot, and had been stressing a little during the week leading up to it.  But I can safely say that shortly after getting started she hit her stride and did fabulously.  Her and her girls were a blast – and the resulting photos are evidence of that.

So Belinda!  Thank you for the wonderful afternoon.  It was a pleasure working with you and your girls.

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Diane & Katie – a mother daughter photo shoot preview

I met up with Diane and Katie in one of my favourite “go to” spots.  It’s unusual for a client to beat me there, but these two did…  and got to watch a wedding shoot that just happened to be scheduled prior to ours.  I had a lot of fun working with this adorable mother, daughter team so when Diane asked that I not hand off these edits to another photographer, I was only too happy to oblige.  So, here we are.    Say hello to Katie and Diane:

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Sorry for being so brief…  just kinda tired today. 

A brag on my clients. :)

I wanted to take a second to brag about my clients.  I really do get to work with some of the best folk around.  I love what I do, working as a photographer, seeking truth, love, and beauty in all things?  It’s pretty freakin’ awesome.  And then an email like this arrives in my inbox and it reminds me that I am doubly blessed.  First I get to capture so many amazing people, and then I get to enrich their lives with those captures.  It’s am amazing thing, and I am truly, truly blessed.

Hi, I just wanted to thank you for taking such great photos. We love them and were surprised to find so many of them were great photos. We thought we would be happy with 10 good photos and we have 50 that we love!!!! Thanks again you are very talented and we had such a great time doing the photo shoot. You made us feel relaxed and that we were just out playing with Zay not posing for a camera. Thanks again we will refer you and use you again.

Warm regards, Marla Janzen

Thank you Marla, for such a wonderful email.  You didn’t have to take the time to write, and I appreciate that you did so.  You touched my heart.

Jen & Martin – Sweethearts at the University Bridge

I believe this is the third time I’ve blogged about Jen and Martin’s Sweetheart Session.  To bring up one particular photo shoot three times is unheard of for me, so I believe it speaks to the impact this couple had on me.  I really did love working with them.  Their feelings for one another were so evident in every interaction, they made my heart glow.  I truly believe theirs is a love that will last through any difficulties they may encounter – and in today’s temporary society, that’s saying a lot.

I took Jen and Martin to the East side of the University Bridge here in Saskatoon.  It’s not a spot I hit very often, so it remains an adventure every time I go.  We shot on the lookout platform on the South of the pedestrian walkway, under the bridge itself, and along the path that extends under the bridge and through the University Campus on the North side of the bridge.  In spite of relatively grey skies, we had a lovely time and created some beautiful images in celebration of this gorgeous couple.

 

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Bowtie Man

A day, like many others, with multiple photo shoots… one after another…  But today, a hidden gem.

The first time this fellow walked by us, we remarked to one another how he looked like he should be meeting a photographer in the park.  I’d have loved to photograph him, but I was there working for someone else.  But then, near the end of our shoot when we happened upon him sitting on a bench, I couldn’t resist again.  So I snapped a couple shots, handed him my card… and 30 seconds later we were on our way again.

But seriously, did he not beg to be photographed?  I could let him pass by once and feel a small sting of regret…  but to have passed by him, seeing him a second time?  For the 30 seconds it took to raise my camera, shoot twice, hand him my card and walk on?  I’d have been kicking myself.  So yeah.  I took advantage of a spare moment – because someone looking this fabulous just MUST be captured. 

Thank you for noticing!

In my role as photographer, I often go out of my way to help ensure the comfort of my clients.  And that includes trying to keep them out of the scorching, midday, summer sun.  I try to keep afternoon shoots indoors at this time of year, but occasionally a client will have their heart set on being outside.  So, I’ll put myself in the line of fire trying to keep them as cool as possible – a family photo shoot that ends in the E.R. dealing with sunstroke or worse is hardly the type of memory I’d like to leave people with.  Most of the time, folks don’t notice.  And honestly?  I’m okay with that.  But when you do notice, and you take the time to inquire as to my comfort, I do appreciate it.

One of my shoots today was outside, shortly after high noon, with the blazing heat beating down on us.  And as always, I did my best to keep the family comfortable and feeling good about things.  This time though, my efforts did not go unnoticed.  They saw me in the direct sunlight after ensuring they were in the shade, and though I laughed it off…  I appreciated their concern.  It’s nice that they noticed.  It’s nice that my efforts were appreciated.  I am glad I could help make them feel more at ease, and I’m glad I was there to help capture a few special moments for them.

Charlie and Family – photography preview

Charlie is a little dog with a ton of personality packed into his little frame.  I had a lot of fun with him and his people – in spite of a drizzly not so nice day.  So, without needlessly painting the lily, here are a few photographs:

The Erman Family – photography preview

Charmaine contacted me hoping to combine a graduation shoot and a family photography session, and when she told me a little more about her family, I was only too happy to oblige.  Her eldest, like me, has a very special bond with one of her younger siblings.  So it was truly a pleasure for me to be able to capture all that they share, never to be forgotten, never to fade with memory.  Families like the Erman’s are the whole reason I do family photography.  So thank you Charmaine, for inviting me into your lives and allowing me to be a part of your very special family – even just for an afternoon.