Back to Saskatchewan

We've had a busy April so busy in fact its over!! It felt like a blur. Grandma and Grandpa visiting for Easter, back to Saskatchewan the following weekend, then a couple more busy weeks with work and the (planned) start of Soccer for Leyton. We headed to Yorkton to celebrate Kelly's Grandma's 90th birthday. What a lady, the last time we were back in Yorkton was for her 85th, and I have to say I don't think she looks a day older?! I think she enjoyed having her kids, grandkids and great grandkids around for the weekend (it was a surprise for her) but I'm sure she had a really big nap when it was all over! I wanted to post some photos of a little photo walk I did with Leyton and her cousin Ash. The house was a bit busy and the kids were in need of burning off a little steam, so I grabbed my camera and we headed out the door. To where? Who knows, but we found a park and some fun photos along the way. Enjoy! Happy 90th Grandma Mary!

Displaying your photos - Part 2 - Calgary Child, Family & Maternity Photographer

I posted last week promising to show you some of the displays of photos that I have around my home. First rule is that you can't look at anything too closely as you may see a decent layer of dust covering anything shown here! No judging people! :-) Second I have talked a lot about sizes of photos and how 8 x 10 isn't all that big. They may not be all that big if used as a single photo behind a couch but 8 x 10's can be very useful, especially if used in displays of a number of photos at a time or on wall areas with limited space. You'll see in a couple different spots in my home I have used the 8 x 10's in multiples as well as with other sizes. I do have a couple spots where I have even some 4 x 6's on the wall with matting or as a collage. This can work as well, but I have to say that most of mine are on the list for a change out! I have tried to give you what the actual sizes are, and how they look in each given room to give a little context. I have indicated where the frames were from (when I knew), and who the photo was taken by. If I haven't indicated who it was, it was me!
The other thing I noticed when taking photos around my home other than noticing dust bunnies, was that I am in need of some newer photos of both girls on the walls! A lot of the ones up are either without Logan around, or of her as a newborn. The one's of Leyton in her room are when she was two! I just love them so much I have trouble picking new ones to replace them! My newest set above the couch and at the entrance with our family photos are new though, and are some of my most favourite photos to date, likely because they are almost the only photos of our whole family! Enjoy and please feel free to send me some comments or questions, I would love to hear from you!

Starting off in the Master bedroom



Then moving into Leyton's room



Bonus Room

Main Floor






Basement/Playroom




These are just a few areas around my home where I have photos displayed, this place is an ongoing project, and with so many photos to choose from, its often hard to choose favourites! I'll keep you updated as progress happens!

Displaying your photos - Calgary Family Photographer

I have done a couple of these posts in the past HERE, but I have been meaning to do it more. I always love when someone is willing to bite the bullet and go with a large photo on a wall. We often feel like an 8 X 10 is a "large" photo to put on our wall, but if you actually placed a single 8 x 10 on a wall above a couch it would look pretty silly. I love the large sizes, with big frames and a nice matting on the photo, or a simple canvas of 20 x 24 size or larger. It sounds huge, but I promise you when you see the finished product you will LOVE what you see. I finally got to take a look at this display in my friend Jen's home today and am so pleased with its look. Can you tell that these photos are 16 x 20? WIth inexpensive framing options like Home Sense and Ikea the options are endless. These frames and the beautiful colors in her photos from our September Mini-Sessions work perfectly in her bonus room. I encourage you to think of ideas for displaying your photos - before - your session. This helps you choose wardrobe, & orientation of photos you would be looking for and making sure we get you that perfect shot you are looking to display. Thinking outside of the 8 x 10 box, totally a payoff in the end don't you think?
See for yourself! I also just realized that I haven't posted any of my own that I have put up in my home, and I have been meaning to get after any one of my past clients for a look at their displays! If you have one you'd ilke to share please email me! Otherwise I'm sure I'll be bugging you soon! Enjoy!

Foggy day - Calgary Children's Photographer

When I woke up this morning there was an awesome fog hovering over the open field across the street from our place. So I scarfed down some breakfast and tried bribing/asking my kids to head out with me for a couple photos. I only managed to get one out (the one that doesn't really speak and can get carried out there against her will) for a couple minutes before our fingers were cold and it was time to come back in. This is pretty much the only one where she isn't scowling at me, but I still like the foggy-ness in the background...maybe one day I'll get the other one out too. Happy Sunday!

My favourite age for photos - Calgary Children's Photographer

I had the chance to photograph this little cutie again this week. This is for sure my most favourite baby age to photograph after getting the newborn photos done. Right when baby can sit, but not crawl, sit but not stand, and do I even need to mention the chub?? Most babies have a plethora of chub at this age and well I just love it. From the chubby little fingers and toes to the buddha. Miss Rylie also has the craziest hair! As I'm sure you noticed, and no her Mom didn't style it that way. That's the way it looks...every day...without product. In fact product can't even tame it! Funny and cute at the same time! Well here she is Miss Rylie at ~10 months, and one with big brother Taylor giving some love.

Saturday Morning Editing - Calgary Newborn Photographer

I'm trying to finish up some editing this morning in my pyjamas with my kids running rampant in the house! This photo caught my eye and I just had to share. This was taken in a little staircase where the light was less than perfect. We snapped a few photos of Mom and Dad with baby number three, but then moved on because I just didn't think the light was right. It was a decent sized window, but it was above them and I had a bit of trouble getting a good angle because I was below them. I just about toppled down the stairs while trying to stand on a stool to change my angle! Hehe, oops that would have been a heavy fall! I couldn't resist posting this one just for all these reasons. I thought that I wouldn't like it because of the lighting, but something about it...I LOVE it! THought I would share, sometimes the best is hidden in the places you least expect! Happy Saturday morning!

What was I saying again? - Calgary Family Photographer

I showed you a photo on my last post that seemed to be a lot like what a family with three kids in it was like...and as I was editing tonight I came across this one. It made me smile...and I think might say the same as the last one, even more so! I like it, hope you like it too.

Baby Hank - Calgary Newborn Photographer

I was so lucky to meet Baby Hank and his busy family yesterday. This was the second time meeting this family, but of course this time it was + 1! With two big sisters to look out for him, I think he'll be pretty well taken care of! I wanted to give a couple shots in this sneak peek but picking them was VERY difficult! So many cute ones to pick from. I really loved the family shot as I think it probably shows what life is like having three kids...fun, but a bit crazy! The little hat for Hank was one that his Mom bought just for the photos, future pilot perhaps? The shot of Miss Hazel on her bed was so sweet, her Mom has such great ideas for the girls room, the paper poms are so colourful and how cute are those curls? As you can see there are frames just waiting for some photos to fill them, hopefully we've got some good ones to hang! Sarah has so many great photos all over her house, she is a photographers dream! I got to see the huge photos from this post in real life, and Wow! They look even better in person. Love the huge prints! I would recommend it to everyone!! Enjoy, I better get back to editing!

Baby Carter - Calgary Newborn Photographer

I was lucky enough to meet Mr. Carter yesterday. He is baby number three for this busy family. What a sweetie, and how good does Mom look one week post baby?

Leyton's Magic Show 5th Birthday Party

Well I've already posted Leyton's photo shoot so I guess you already know she turned 5. But I've been delinquent and haven't posted the photos of her actual birthday. It was a great day, a little crazy as most kids birthday parties are, but here are a few from before with her sister and during with her buddies and cousins. I think everyone had a great time! Abbra Kadabra! Leyton is 5!

Gorgeous Momma! Calgary Maternity Photographer

This session was so much fun! We were able to do a variety of shots both inside and outside and to say that this session challenged my creativity would be an understatement. I knew when we were setting up the session that my clients house was getting some renovations, but it was a complete construction zone! But it was no problem, we found a big window and set to work, good thing Mom wasn't worried about getting her photo taken...in front of a contractor who was doing a railing! I love the final product, but wish I would have taken a photo of our surroundings! You would be proud of me too! :) Here's just a small sampling of the day, what a great time. Can't wait to meet baby!

Anybody feel my pain? Calgary - Children's Photographer

On many occasions I have had people say to me that I must have so many photos of my own kids all around my house, which I actually do. I'm still terrible at keeping them all up to date but I have tried in the last little while to actually get them up on the wall, because really that is the point right? The other thing people have asked is "how to get such good photos of them?" . I always laugh when people say this because: 1) I usually spend half a photo session with my own kids bribing them, and 2)There usually are MANY photos like the ones below that you don't see! The other day when I took the photos of Leyton for her birthday, I also tried to get a couple of Logan with her skunk hat on. She got it for Christmas from my sister from here and its so cute, but I hadn't got any photos of it yet. Well, here is what ensued...literally I can see the thoughts in her mind...what is she doing with that black thing again? Does she really think I'm going to look at it? Oh look is that a bunny way off behind her? I am so outta here...is about what I think it would look like. I thought you all might enjoy these and maybe make you feel a bit better when your kids do the same (for you or me!).

The girl is 5! Really? Calgary - Children's Photographer

Every year I try to make sure I take my girls out for their birthday "photo shoot". I am a little late this year, but it was a tad cold last week and I was not going to drag them out in -30 to snap a couple photos! So as the sun was coming up this morning, I decided today was the day. As usual I hastily grabbed a couple things and bribed Leyton to come out with me to snap some shots. I have a very small window of opportunity with Leyton, she tires of my antics to get her to look into the camera quickly...as does my patience with her when she flat out refuses! So like any good mother I bribed her with a blizzard and some Wii and we had success. Now for the follow through! Feeling a little old having a 5 year old, but hey pretty proud of this little chick. :)

Just one - Calgary Maternity Photographer

This is just a quick peek at the fun I was up to yesterday. So fun hanging out with this Momma to be and her BFF (my sister in-law). I'll post some more soon, but for tonight, just one.

Couldn't resist posting this...

Being a newborn model can be very exhausting...

First newborn of the year!

Its been awhile since I have done newborn photos and this little man was the perfect way to start the new year and get me back in the swing of newborns again. The winter seems to be the busy season for babies so here we go! Little Henry was awake for the first while of our session and really didn't want to sleep for us, but we waited him out and got a ton of beautiful shots. Here are a couple sneak peeks for Mom and Dad. Happy New Year everyone!

THE POLL IS CLOSED!! :)

We have a winner! It was very close and right down to the wire...but the winning photo is with 17 votes...



Congratulations! I will contact you by email! Thank-you to all who entered, and got your family to enter! Beautiful kids all around!!