Last Day of 2008!

I want to wish all my couples and families a very safe New Year's Eve tonight!

2008 has been a year of heartache and tragedy for me. But I've laughed more and found more joy this year too. Everyone who I've worked with has been an absolute pleasure and for that I'm truly grateful! I've made so many new friends and have more new and wonderful opportunities than I can count. I have been truly blessed through meeting all my couples and clients and want to thank all of you for that! I can't WAIT for 2009!

Cheers!

Viva Las Vegas

I had the surprise of my life the other day! My man was in Las Vegas for a convention and he called me in between meetings to tell me to pack the essentials, get to the airport and to wear something 'nice'. He had bought me a plane ticket and took me out to dinner at our favorite Vegas restaurant, Le Cirque. We had so much fun and I was back home the next day! I LOVE spontaneous excursions like that! Thanks Baby! Love you!

Harrison & Georgia

Here's another of the many children I had the pleasure of photographing this weekend. Harrison is 3 years old and already protecting his little sister Georgia who is only 3 months. I photographed their parents wedding also several years ago and it was so much fun catching up and seeing them again!


Harrison's favourite character right now is Spider Man. He was pretending to be him all morning! Here he is spinning his web:


Here he is dodging his enemy and trapping him in yet another web:



Georgia was VERY tired and desparately wanted her nap. But we were actually able to get a bit of a smile from her!



Finally! Peace at last!

Ava: Future Oscar Winner

This past week has been amazing (and exhausting) playing with and photographing all the kids I've had the pleasure of meeting. Ava is the first daughter of Kay and Alex, whose wedding I photographed 4 years ago in the Dominican Republic in a very intimate ceremony on the beach at the Secret's Excellence Resort.

Ava braved the cold with a smile on her face and we got some beautiful images of her. She's SO adorable and looks exactly like her mom! She's only 3 years old and she already has the bubbly personality of Kate Hudson. Keep an eye out for this cutie - you may see her in a few commercials in the near future...

Back in Vancouver

I had a FABULOUS 'vacation' in the Bahamas! Coming back to -2 degree weather from 35 (30F - 80F respectively for all you Americans) has been very difficult. I was out shooting yesterday in Coal Harbour after just arriving by plane 2 hours earlier and I thought I was going to pass out from being so cold! But I got some great shots of former Olympic runners, Doug and Diane Clement for their new book:


A hot bath later that day didn't even thaw me out!

But here I am for another 3 weeks with a TON of family shoots between now and January 30th! Everyone is taking advantage of my January Special. If you want to get some images of your kids and/or family NOW IS THE TIME to book a session for only $100 (regular price is $300). I only have a few slots available so get'em while they're hot!

Zachary

Ok... I HAVE to share my images of my little nephew. I'm such a PROUD Aunty! He's smart, SO loveable, and has such a gentle spirit. He is the perfect combination of both his Mom and his 'Dada'. I just love him to BITS!


Thanks to Janet and Eden for letting me point a camera at him 24/7.

Paradise Island

I'm on Paradise Island in the Bahamas staying with my family in the shadow of the Atlantis Hotel. I'm originally from the Bahamas and it's my 'home' when I'm not running the business in the Pacific Northwest. My cousin has always worked with dolphins and her husband is a Director at the Atlantis Dolphin Facility. Swimming with the dolpins has always been somewhat of a regular occurrence for me. Here's where my cousin works:
But my greatest joy is seeing my one-year old nephew (or 2nd cousin... whatever the technical term is) and watching him learn the fundamentals of life. In him I see God's miracles and it just blows me away. Look at him playing in the water - he's so cuuuute!

Life is so precious. When I get stressed with deadlines and schedules and the everyday 'toil' of life, I realize that, in the big scheme of things, all that really matters is love, life and laughter (and of course, food, sleep and toys that make a lot of noise).

Tampa

It's warm, it's sunny, and it feels so goooood! I've been here many times shooting weddings and visiting friends. However, this time time, it's all about conventions, tradeshows and a whole lot of AMAZING photographers sharing, shooting and booty shaking... yes, dancing (post convention hours of course)... if there's music playing - I'm dancing. I just gotta move!

But seriously, I'm so inspired with new ideas and thrilled to spend time with my peers from all over the world - Australia, New Zealand, Italy, the US and of course, Canada. I haven't had a lot of time for myself but I can't wait to show you some images that I've captured on my personal journey here in Tampa.

Oh! And if you're ever here, you HAVE to try the most amazing Cuban food north of Cuba itself - La Terrasita. I have foregone room service the whole time I've been here. It's a real 'hole in the wall' - I have to tell you... But the food... mmmmm mmmmm!

Happy New Year!

2008 is going to be an AMAZING year! Full of friends, family and new experiences. At midnight, East Coast time, me and my man spent a romantic evening together in a hot tub by the water drinking Cristalle and enjoying the star-studded warmth of the open sky. This year will be jam-packed with more trips to exotic locales and I have my list of "Personal Commitments" at hand (New Year's "Resolutions" sounds too 'wishy washy').

I wish all my couples, family and friends a very healthy, happy and joyous year in 2008. May you all be blessed with God's Love!