Slow down mommy....just enjoy these moments

Recently I was inspired to write a blog post by reading one of a close friend of mine.  Dr. Sarah is not only a friend but our family chiropractor.  I woke up one smoky morning to a post she shared that she wrote.  Mom's it's a great link at the bottom of this post which I absolutely reccomend reading.

When it comes to my busy life now I realize it's different with this child.  As some of you know I recently had my second child.  She's now 3 months and growing so fast.  The main reason I went into photography after my first son was born (he's now 5) is that I wanted to capture moments and memories for not only myself but my clients.  It's amazing what we don't see even when it is in front of us every day.  I'm pretty lucky to have a studio in my home which allows me to head into there every month for a quick little session with my new girl.  Not all parents get this opportunity.

Birth

One month

Two Months

Three Months

Now many time's after finishing a cakesmash session I warn the mom.  I warn her she may cry. I warn her that she will notice how grown up they are.  I warn her because I see it every day.  These little miracles I get the opportunity to photograph and watch grow.

Mason - One year and birth

I had a moment the other day watching my son skateboard (Yes I said that right) He's just turned 5 and has really taken a liking for it.  I'm sitting on a bench at the skatepark feeding my daughter while watching him.  Watching him talk to the bigger kids.  Watching him interact and learn.  I tear up a bit as I tell him we have to go and he walks over to the other kids and gives them a fist pump. I feel as though it was just yesterday he was in my arms.  So when he wakes in the middle of the night with a bad dream I don't get upset or frustrated I am up in the middle of the night.  I lay down next to him wondering where the time has gone.

These little people grow around us so quickly.   I knew I wanted nothing more than to be a mom.  I wasn't sure I would be blessed to be able to do it again.  Family is so important to us and we take every moment we can to appreciate that.  I was sitting with a couple other families the other weekend laughing at how life is so different with children.  It was Saturday night and we were on the beach watching an outdoor movie. This was perfect to us.

Mom's remember to slow down.  Please.  Remember to put down your phones as much as possible to take in these moments.  As you watch your babies grow just remember it goes so fast.  Too fast! 

This past week the air quality in Kelowna hasn't been good for kids.  The smoke from all the fires is preventing us mom's from taking our babies out to the beach or park.  However it's also given me time to slow down.  To watch my kids grow.  We have spent time indoors baking, crafting, and doing lego.  Its even given me time to write this post while watching my baby try so desperately to fit her whole fist in her mouth as her teeth are on their way.  Wasnt it just yesterday we were watching her move inside me.

We need to slow down.  I know it's harder to do than we think.  Many parents work full time jobs and when they pick up their babies it's go go go.  How do you fit it all in while just simply getting through the day.  Let alone enjoying these precious moments.  Sometimes we just need a little reminder to slow down.  To take in those little moments because before you know it...those little moments will be gone.  They will be all grown up and you wont know where the time has gone.  Oh and just another reminder to capture those moments as best you can.  I offer regular mini sessions for families and they are perfect for families with young kids.

Follow me on facebook to be sure to be notified of these sessions.


Here is that link I promised before take a moment to read it.
http://www.healthinhand.ca/go-to-sleep-little-baby.php

 From my family to yours.....get out and enjoy your babies before they aren't babies anymore.

Photo by Pixel Photography

Deanna & Brad ~ Tie the Knot

I had the pleasure of photographing these two as they celebrated their big day.  I met them through Brad's sister Kim who has been a client for years.  I knew when they came to me that if they were related to Kim this wedding was going to be a blast.

Now as life would take it I ended up back in Kelowna before the big day.  Deanna emailed me an itinerary of the day and I didn't think it was for real!  She was beyond organized.  Slightly made me feel I needed to forward it to all brides.

I made the trip from Kelowna extremely excited and looking forward to their big day.  We started the day with the girls getting ready at Brad and Deanna's home.  I was greeted by her father on the front lawn and I knew from that moment I was probably going to cry at this wedding.  He was so proud!  He was excited to see his little girl.  As the girls got ready and enjoyed being ahead of schedule (as per the amazing itinerary) I knew this was going to be one fun day.

They had their ceremony at Greystone Gardens Bed and Breakfast.  This place is an amazing place just outside of Devon and the photo opportunities there are endless.  When I got to the place and saw the Brad for the first time (my second shooter Laura with Pixel Photography was with the guys all morning) he was all smiles.  He knew he was going to be seeing his bride shortly and the anticipation was going to end.

Brad and Deanna's wedding party was hilarious and entertaining.  This always makes for a fun time.  We flew through their photos as everyone was full of laughs.  Then I got some alone time with the bride and groom which is always my favorite part of photographing weddings.  These two make love look so simple.  

We got out to their reception held in Ardrossan and seriously the venue was decorated beautifully.  The colors were amazing and little details weren't missed. They had a great wheel which added to the fun making guest spin the wheel to get them to kiss.

Thanks Deanna and Brad for including me in one of the most important days in your life.  Next photo session.....newborn please!

I'm back at it!

I recently took the last couple months to be quiet and bring another baby into this world.  However now that we have adjusted to two kids in the house I feel I need to get back to what I love.....PHOTOGRAPHY!  Now trust me, I didn't actually take much time off.  I actually had a few sessions 4 days after giving birth to my daughter.  People thought I was nuts however when you love what you do it doesn't feel like work.

I became a mom for the first time in 2010 when I was blessed with my son.  This was definately the most important part of my life.  This is also when I developed my love of photography.  Many of us can go online and portray someone we aren't.  Let's face it people.....facebook....we really all post only good things about ourselves.  Many of us aren't honest about our own lives.  I had a huge life change in 2010 and haven't looked back.  Many of us have been through things that we grow from.  I feel now I'm contstantly opening up to people arround me and because of that business keeps coming in.  I do not live a fake life at all anymore.

I'm real.  I learn from my mistakes.  I also seem to have people around me that come to me now for advice.  I made a mistake that many of us do.  I married the WRONG person.  I was young.  Not willing to listen to any one's advice then,  boy, I wish I had.  I settled for someone absolutely not worthy of me.  It however made me wake up.  Made me start living real.  Made me raise my expectations of men and take pride in teaching my son how to be the best person possible.  Those of you who have had the pleasure of meeting my son are usually blown away.  He's definately something to be proud of.  He's absolutely not a mistake, but let's face it nobody plans to raise a child in a broken home.

Many of you can relate.  Which is sad but REAL!  

I decided from that point on to take time to build my business and focus on being the best mom I could be.  I haven't looked back.  I took pride in people meeting my son and not saying "oh it's hard for him because she is a single mom".  My business has grown quickly and I am truly thankful for the referalls.  We all need to take a step back and learn from our mistakes.  If it wasn't for what I had gone through I probably would never of pushed myself into photography.

Now let's fast forward.  I've been truly blessed!  I get to do a job every day that doesn't feel like work.  I meet wonderful amazing clients.  As well.....i've been blessed with an AMAZING man.  Ladies I know many of you think you have an incredible partner and that makes me so happy.  I do however feel that I am the LUCKIEST.  I've known him for many years and our lives took us down different paths.  I never believed in soulmates before him.  We were just blessed with a daughter who is absolutely perfect.  This time around it's completely different.  Don't get me wrong I loved being a single mom.  When people felt sorry for me my response would always be "it's great....my son and I do what we want and he's being raised right".  Now having had my daughter just a few weeks ago I realize what I missed out on.  Having a partner to share this experience with is truly amazing.  He's the best dad I could have hoped for for my children.  My son is lucky and we always thank him for choosing us, because that is truly what he has done.  He chose to love me and teach my son how to be a good man in this world.

We recently made the move back to Kelowna, BC.  Now for all my Edmonton clients don't panic.  You wont even notice I am gone as I have regular visits back to Edmonton booked.  Before this I would travel back to Kelowna every second month and do sessions there.  Instead we have chosen to live in Kelowna and raise our family there, however I still have friends and family back in Edmonton so will have regular session dates available there too.

I am already booking into fall in both Edmonton and Kelowna.  As well booking 2016 weddings so do not hesitate to contact me for all your photography needs.

Mother's Day Gift Certificate's ON SALE!

Moms.....are definately some of the most special people that walk this earth. Being a mother is one of the greatest gifts one can ever have.  It will change your life entirely.  I know when speaking to many mothers they didn't know they could love something so much until they had a child.

"No influence is so powerful as that of a mother" 

What gift can you give her that she will treasure every day for the rest of her life?

This mother's day forget about the flowers that will die, or the chocolates she will regretfully eat.  

Purchase a gift certificate for ONLY $195 (reg. $295) for her to use towards a 30 minute mini session and 10 edited photos whenever she likes.

CONTACT me today to purchase your gift certificate

Trust me.....every mother LOVES new photos of her most precious things in life.
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Pure Kids Inc.

Some of you may know I got into photography in order to be a stay at home mom.  However there are times when I do need childcare.  This can be the most difficult decision mom's have to make.  Many mom's that have to go back to work struggle with who is watching there children.  I don't have that struggle.

I want to introduce you to Pure Kids Inc.  I met Chelsea a couple years ago when she came to me for a maternity session and from that moment on I couldn't live my life without her.  Her and I instantly clicked and i felt she was put in my life at that moment for a reason.  She struggled with the idea of going back to work and the lack of good clean healthy childcare was killing her.  She has a daughter who is 5 and a son who is a year and these two are the most important things in life to her.  This is when she came to me with the idea of Pure Kids Inc.  She wanted my honest opinion as a mom and a business woman.  My immediate response was "Where do i sign up?"

Whether you are a mom now or one day expecting to be this will be something you need to consider.

I then introduced her to Laura, a very close friend of mine.  Laura came into my life and some of you may be shocked.  I beleive the best thing for children is being surrounded by people who love them.  Laura is my son's step mom.  Yes, I feel blessed to call her my friend.  From the moment she met my son she treated him as her own.  For this reason I absolutely love her.  She has an incredible little girl who is 1 and extremely entertaining and full of life.  Chelsea decided she would be a fantastic fit and the first employee added into Pure Kids Inc. This definately isn't just a place who will hire or take on anyone.  Laura and Chelsea are both incredible moms first and foremost.



With a huge wait list already and me constantly sending people their way it's this growing seed that is absolutely exciting.  They have now decided to open spots slowly for the right fit and expand as they need.  There is such a need immediately for AMAZING CHILDCARE!

What better than to start off small and grow as needed.  What better than one incredible mom helping you raise your children.  2 INCREDIBLE Moms.  This duo is unstoppable.  Their focus is on healthy, happy, thriving children.  

With my second baby on the way its important to have a team behind me that believes in the same things I do.  I feel as I grow I surround myself with like minded individuals.  I don't plan on taking much time off immediately after having my little girl.  I've cut back my weddings this season however I love that I don't stress when it comes to who will watch my children while I work. This comes in handy considering I have 4 newborns scheduled the same time I am due.

 What is important for you when contemplating childcare?  For me it was that they were nourished.  I want clean food going into their little bodies and them to be educated on health and nutrition.  No chemicals!  My son came home the other day and said "mom I had seaweed and tuna wraps and turns out I don't like seaweed but I did try it".  Never does he come home pumped full of sugar and things I do not agree with.  I also want them to spend time outside in the fresh air.  I never wanted my children cooped up in a facility where they were a number and ate a peice of toast.  I also wanted my son to have little to no TV.  This was important for me as I wanted to be the one to teach him things.  I want him to learn by play.

If you or someone you know is looking for quality childcare look no further.  Contact Pure Kids Inc.  I obviously highly reccomend them.  Even if you just take a minute to "like" their facebook page it's full of like minded moms and fantastic information.

Ask yourself why NOT!!! BOUDOIR PHOTOGRAPHY

First off I want to take this moment to explain to you that I too am a woman!  I currently have one 4 year old and am expecting my second child this May.  I am the first to understand those self conscious thoughts we all have.  Some of my clients have actually had boudoir sessions with other photographers and absolutely say their session with myself is totally different and they felt extremely comfortable.  Might have had something to do with the fact that I too am a woman and I understand what we have issues with.  Also I'm usually the one who's getting into the poses I am asking these woman to do.  So that usually makes them more comfortable.  Many of you have every excuse not to do a boudoir session.  "Once I get my body back" or "I'm not sexy or confident"

I regularly have conversations with women who absolutely LOVE the photos I do however don't think they could possibly do a boudoir session and be happy with the photos.  I have experienced everything under the sun while shooting boudoir sessions.  I have photographed women who have previously had boudoir photos taken and they are thrilled after our session at how comfortable I am able to make them and how absolutely incredible they feel.  I have also experienced women nearly in tears they are so uncomfortable and by the end they want to book another session because they can't beleive what they have seen just on the back of the camera (let alone before editing)

Here is my reasons I think BOUDOIR PHOTOS are absolute must.

There are many myth's surrounded by boudoir photography.  If you have considered doing boudoir photos before but have yet to book a session this post will answer some of your questions.

First, boudoir photography isn't about women who think they have perfect bodies.  It's about focusing on your assets.  Beginning to be comfortable in your own skin.  My client's don't think they are flawless, but they're confident in spite of that.  Most women who book sessions are just regular women.  They are BEAUTIFUL, not perfect model bodies.  Whether they are doing a session for a partner or are doing photos to feel confident, these sessions are definately some of my favorite.

Secondly,  women think they need to be overtly sexy and these sessions are only for women who can act sexy in front of a lens.  My clients choose me because I am able to make them comfortable and the images I take are tasteful and authentically them.  Acting sexy isn't what I aim for,  I shoot for confidence.  Its my job to pose and shape the body to accentuate your figure.  The best is when a woman laughs during a session and I am able to capture a flirty fun side.  I help you realize which aspects of you are going to best be photographed. 

I begin each session with attention to details.  We become comfortable with one another and I discuss any part of you which isn't your favorite asset.  I ensure straps are in place and tags are cut out.  These little details make photo's wonderful.  Editing is another huge part of boudoir photography ensuring that when you see that image you are absolutely astonished.  I understand my clients are usually nervous on shoot day and I do take that seriously.  Usually those nerves don't last long and once I flip my camera over so you can see an image, the smiles shine and women become even more confident.  The final product is what I strive for.  In the end it's all about the women and bringing their inner beauty out.

Thirdly,  many think Boudoir photography is all about sex.  This is however not the case at all.  It's more about self confidence and empowerment.  Honestly many brides I photograph enjoy putting together these images for their groom to surprise him with the day of their wedding.  It adds to the excitement.  I also do mini session's for stagette nights which is always an absolutely blast.  Women get together and do hair and makeup followed by mini sessions and a night out on the town.  

Lastly, boudoir photography is only for women with a signifigant other.  This is absolutely not the case.  Many women think if you are single there is no point.  More than anything I think boudoir photography is a gift to yourself.  It's about celebrating who you are in the exact moment of your life and owning it.  It's about loving yourself and seeing yourself in a new way.  I personally know the benefits of this and it is one of the most empowering things I have done.  

If you have any questions or are interested in booking a session please CONTACT me.