So....you want to be a child photographer!

Here we are again. An opportunity arises to photograph a past client's grandchildren....aged from 6yrs old to less than 1 year. Oh Ya!

Young kids don't scare me. I started in the photography business with a company called Stork Photography. I've been drooled, peed, and barfed on. Get over it and get the expression. That's what sells; that's what clients remember..your successes.
However, once in a while you hit what may be considered a wall. Attached are two images from my wall!! We'll call these out-takes!

Now, I'm not suggesting another photographer wouldn't have succeeded where I didn't. But...hmmmm most likely not. So, you try plan B and do your best. The best in this case was assembling three separate images to the glee of a happy Grandmother.

Now for the bonus. While viewing the 'out-takes', one mother said to me, "Those are priceless. I want one of those to send as my Christmas card this year"! Send one to Santa. I'm sure he would get a good laugh.

Cheers!

Dream Dancer

If fairy tales can come true, Tessa will one day be on stage capturing the hearts of other young girls who dream of dancing; and, most likely, the hearts of a few young men.

When we started our session Tessa was a bit shy as she hung at Mom’s side. However, with a wee bit of encouragement, she started to dance. The camera and I were soon forgotten as Tessa danced....and dreamed.

Maligne Canyon Memories

Twenty seven years ago I had the opportunity to photograph Joan and Don's wedding. Soon after, the forestry industry took both to Grande Prairie and eventually Edson.
Two years ago, as a surprise Christmas gift for Joan, Don arranged for a family portrait. However, hold on the portrait as daughter number one decides to spread her wings and move to Toronto.
Well, finally the planets align and daughter comes home for a week! So, off to Jasper we go; dodging raindrops, saving cameras from nearly falling into the river, having a fabulous celebratory meal at Fiddle River, (and somewhere in there...taking portraits)!
Now, let me do the math...I'll be how old when they celebrate their 50th?

The May(not so Fair any more) Hotel

While photographing for one of my clients, I had the opportunity to do some roof walking as well as some ground images. Lots of dust, dirt, old bricks and, for some, perhaps some memories. I wonder how many wedding receptions, anniversaries, and birthday parties were celebrated in what was once a pretty nice Hotel.

The Snow Queen

Sweet Olivia was introduced to me as the Snow Queen; a title she took seriously. With her blonde hair and lovely coat and hat, she looked like a child from 18th century Russian aristocracy.
I was honoured as she held my hand while we skipped through the snow. We photographed amongst the trees, a neighbours winter garden, and around a sandstone castle. Alas, other stately duties called and I was dismissed with a wave of her hand and an 'I don't want to be photographed anymore'.
But no one can take away my 15 minutes of fame with the Snow Queen.

Warm Winter Place

Placencia..a very small town at the end of a very long and skinny peninsula on the SE shore of the country of Belize in Central America. For the geographically challenged, the country of Belize, with a population of under 300,000, is just below Mexico.

Wether walking or biking, even we friendly Canadians found it a pleasure to be offered a smile, a nod, or a hello as just the most casual, normal, and polite thing to do. Perhaps that's because no one is really in a hurry. Wherever one is going, it is still most likely to be there whenever one arrives. And, you don't have to go very far wherever you want to arrive!

Although the weather wasn't up to Placencian standards, (high overcast only reaching 75F), it was a wonderful reprieve from our annual Edmonton snow and chills. Whatever....the 'cold' weather did not affect our enjoyment of the fresh fish, fruit and veggies, jungle walks, or evening views from our balcony. The only sad part- I missed two hockey games with the guys. Upon return, however, none of the guys mentioned that they missed me! Hmmmmm!