Boxing Day at the Beach

I trust everyone has had a safe and enjoyable Christmas - I had the pleasure of enjoying time with family and friends... the get togethers that have continued all week long.  I took the week off work and have thoroughly enjoyed sleeping in, watching movies, entertaining friends and family, cuddling on the sofa with my menagerie of fur babies, indulging in the odd glass of wine, drinking too much coffee, surfing my fav photog blogs that I never have time to read anymore, and now that the year is winding down - it is time to reflect... on the good, the bad and the ugly that made this year unique, as well as looking ahead to 2010 and feeling the excitement about what's up and coming... things that are planned or yet to be planned... so, along those lines... here is my list of what I am most grateful for in 2009...

1.  Seeing the happiness on my son's face as he pursues his dreams - hearing his stories, hugging him when I can, knowing that our relationship is rock solid and no matter where we both are in this world, we are connected.
2.  My mom and the road trips we take.  I know I have talked about this before on here... but truly dear readers, it fills my heart with joy and my soul with the food it needs to flourish!  To discover a new place that I have never been to before or even better, go somewhere that I have been a million times but discover something new and beautiful about it and to continue to do that with my mom... reminds me fondly of childhood and will be the memories I will treasure... always.
3.  The women in my life that inspire me.  My BFF who 'gets me', without explanation, without words... just gets it... always.  My other BF who makes me laugh with all her antics.  My oldest and dearest friend who continues to inspire the next generation, who has more energy in her late 60's than I had in my 20's... her environmental work, her sharp mind and her loving nature are a blessing to all those who are touched by her presence.  To the young woman in my life who is like a daughter to me... her laughter is still one of my favourite sounds in this world, her gentle spirit and her tenacity... the way she just 'is' in this world (in a way I never was at that age), she will go far dear readers... you just watch - my heart swells with pride and I love her with my whole heart!  My friend, the 'dog whisperer' - when I remember the moment of first meeting her and look at her now... at all she has accomplished, when I see with my own eyes that she finally believes in her value the way I have from the beginning - I am in awe... she is my hero.
4.  My passion, my clients, my photography - having the chance, the gift really, of being able to share in people's lives and capture just a brief glimpse into what makes them tick... it rocks my world and feeds my soul.  Having my camera in my hand feels 'right' and from the moment I picked it up for the first time, I knew this was 'my place in the world'... what I was always meant to do... not because I think I am that terrific (oh dear reader there are so many brilliant photogs out there... I aspire to develop their kind of talent), but sometimes, just sometimes I am able to capture through my lens all the beauty that exists in this world and if I have the opportunity to share that with just one person... ahhh... my heart sings!  Whether it is the look of love on a mom's face or a moment between siblings, or a slice of life that is otherwise quickly forgotten in this busy world... if I can give that to people... tell their story in pictures... it is enough...
5.  Freedom - the freedom to be me in this world, the freedom to dream as big as I want to dream, the freedom to pursue those dreams, the freedom to make this life authentically mine... ahhh the freedom!

I was on the beach on boxing day, disappointment on my mind, not of Christmas but the disappointment only someone 'new' can bring to your life when it is unexpected... looking to soothe my soul in a way that only water can... when I saw this moment (this picture) I remembered how far I have really come this past year...  the darkest of dark moments for me... now a distant memory... and from those ashes I was found... I found me... and I am so truly grateful for this life I call mine... 2009 has been a heck of a year... but hold on 2010 is shaping up to be EPIC!

'out of the darkness the light will come'...

Miranda and Marcos ~ Little Santiago

I promise to post more pictures from Miranda and Marcos newborn shoot done a couple of weeks ago - but in the meantime, here's little Santiago.

Steve and Marg ~ Album 2

Oh dear readers - this past month has been a crazy one.  First illness and weeks of feeling so very tired and then trying to catch up on all the work I was behind on.  In addition, I made changes to my photog workflow and ended up with images that were too sharp - too sharp! Seriously... what did I do? Well, luckily I never edit on the original image - however, it did mean that I had to go back and re-edit all of the photos again. 

This past month I have also done a newborn photo shoot, had a friend shoot some new pics of yours truly for my website and have started working with a designer to create (re-create) a brand image including a logo - I am sooooo excited!  Look for the new and improved website/blog coming soon.

Steve and Marg have been waiting almost a month for their new sneak peaks (and the finished pictures I'm sure), I have edited some new shots for them and when I get a chance I will re-edit the ones already posted.  So, without further ado...

Steve and Marg ~ The Sneak Peak

oday I had the privilege of spending some time with a wonderful family.  Although everyone seemed a bit nervous at first as this was their first time doing "official" family portraits, 20 minutes in these guys were rockin' it out.  Steve and Marg (mom and dad) are the most adorable couple you will ever meet, and the kids, Brad and Emily are so cute!  Emily is a total ham and knew instinctively how to work a pose - I could have taken photos of this little darlin' all afternoon.  Her folks even noted that Emily wants a 'family leaf photo' that they can blow up HUGE to put over the fireplace - I, of course, encouraged this, nothing quite like a life-sized portrait to say 'Family'.  They even took the time to coordinate outfits, not in a 'matchy' kind of way, but in the way that looks gorgeous in photos and brings the focus to the faces. 

This photo shoot had special meaning for me because Steve and I used to work together - to have a chance to spend some time with him and his family AND take pictures was truly a gift to me.  The first photo made me laugh out loud when I saw it - I just knew it had to make the blog - note Brad's eyebrow!  Enjoy the sneak peak Steve, Marg, Emily and Brad - and thanks for sharing your day with me.

The 'Leaf' family portrait

One of my favourite shots of the day!

{THIS LIFE I CALL MINE...}

Cycle of Life - this weekend celebrated the 90th birthday of my maternal Grandmother and mourned the passing of her sister my Great-Aunt Ruby.  I am sure that this was a difficult weekend for her.  She only had one sister and they are the last of their generation - and yet at the same time she was celebrating turning 90 years old!  I remember being a child and thinking that my mom was 'old' and she was in her 30's, I can't imagine being 50 years older than I am right now (go ahead, do the math... yes, I'm 'almost' 40!).  If you think about that, my grandmother has lived through every decade since 1919.  She was born just after the first world war.  She saw a second world war in her lifetime, the invention of computers, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the 60's, among many, many, many other things - can you imagine seeing 9 decades of change in your life?!?  And at the same time, the loss of someone in our lives reminds us of how precious life really is.  Today at the memorial service my aunt's neighbours daughter gave a eulogy.  She talked about how much my aunt loved her garden and sharing stories about the precious antiques she had - the treasures that meant the world to her. 

Makes me think of my own 'treasures' things that other people may think are just silly or old or useless - like my old 70's rocking chair that I adore... I can sit in that chair for hours and just rock and think, look out the window.  Or my collection of Kathie Winkle dishes that I love - 1960's and so classic of that era... to someone else its just dishes, to me, its history... I love setting my vintage white laminate table with dishes that match the era - it just looks like a piece of history.  I think about who may have dined before at that very table, using those very dishes - the conversations they might have had, the laughter, maybe even the tears.  Yes, it means something to me and perhaps after I am gone it will just be stuff to others... but to me it is the history of those before me and the history that I make while it is mine. 

The memories of Thanksgiving dinner or just dinner with a friend, sharing stories and laughter, tears and triumph - all part of our history.  We may not be remembered in life for big things - we didn't cure cancer or find the answer to world peace, but in our own way, we made an impact in our world - in the lives of those closest to us.  And when our time comes, it will be the little things that will matter... and when they close their eyes, they will still feel the love.

Happy Birthday Grandma and Rest in Peace Aunt Ruby.

{THIS LIFE I CALL MINE...}

Each and every day I am reminded of the beauty in this world - the beauty around us in nature, reflected in others... we have this opportunity every day to see, smell, touch, taste, listen... but do we?  Do we stop and think about how yummie that morning coffee really tastes, you know... the first sip and the small sigh that escapes our lips, the crispness of the mornings - do you breathe in deep and feel that gorgeous air fill your lungs?  the changing leaves of the trees that give us the air to breathe?  the smell of the soil when you walk on it during a hike?  the sound of the birds and the wind?  when you hug your loved one, do you really feel the hug?  So often in life we miss the little opportunities that are around us each and every moment... the ones to savour and live... I mean truly live... not just in a blur on your way to work or running the kids to soccer practice, but I mean STOP... feel the moment... be present in the moment. 

Take a minute today... just one... c'mon you can do it... and LIVE that moment... truly... with all your being... whether its a hug or a sip of coffee, a walk with your dog or a song on the radio... just stop... listen... feel... don't think... don't run through the millions of things you have to get done today... just live... that one moment... and tell me it doesn't bring a smile to your face... the sheer joy that comes from truly being present.

And dear reader... if that doesn't work... make a pile of leaves in your backyard and when no one is watching... jump in it... just like you did as a child.  I promise THAT will make you smile!

Bovine Sunset

Yes, I know it is blurry - but way too fun to not share... see you're smiling already!

{THIS LIFE I CALL MINE...}

Turkey dinner with all the fixin's, a 10 hour drive (and getting lost), a cornmaze and game of tag on the bales of hay, lots of laughter, a hug from my son - home on leave - all spent with family.  I have learned a great deal in the last year about what is truly important in life.  I always knew that relationships with those that you love is important, but I didn't always take the time to appreciate them... to slow down and just enjoy the moments as they were happening... to jump in with both feet, live it up a little, laugh, get muddy (cornmaze reference...lol), and just truly LIVE the moments.  In the past year, I can say I have truly lived every moment - the good ones, the bad ones, the ones we'd like to forget and the ones we hope we'll always remember.  I realize now that the key to happiness starts within and radiates outwards - that others or things cannot make us happy - that WE control our own happiness and when we truly have a handle on it, then and only then, can we share that with others.  As I've said before, quoting Rascal Flatts "At last I can see, life has been patiently waiting for me" - I'm ready... let's go! oh and by the way... tag, you're it!!!

{THIS LIFE I CALL MINE...}

Another glorious weekend and another road trip.  This time I ran away with my bestest friend, she drove, I shot pictures.  She asked if I wanted to go somewhere urban or rural - we picked 'West'... lol.  We went to Hullet Marsh and surrounding area - little did we know it was hunting season, so we ventured around a bit while trying to stay out of 'shot distance' - we even went to Ball's Bridge... this gigantic wood and steel structure that was built in 1885.  I got some great shots and tried desperately to find a way to crawl under the bridge but it was too slippery and I didn't have hiking shoes on, so we decided that plummeting to my death probably wasn't worth the picture, but next summer when its dry - I am so there!  The drive there included poking around some abandon old school houses, an ancient cemetary that was rather creepy, and a pass over the bridge that was 'oh so fast' with me screaming like a girl so says my friend enoying every minute of it! 

On our way to Ball's Bridge - stunning spot!

I could have shot a 1,000 pictures here.

My ongoing fascination with doors continues...

This was actually shot through the sun roof of the truck

I am also developing a fascination with old rusty things...

this was near one of the abandon buildings - like a graveyard of old farm equipment

Ball's Bridge

Yours truly - hamming it for the camera... photo courtesy of my

uber talent friend :)