Romancing Landscapes

It's true that some of the worst weather conditions produces some of the best photography. When it's freezing cold outside there is a crispness to the landscape that I love to take photos of. Most people are heading inside and I'm bundling up my gear and heading out. It's not for everyone but if you like to explore and wander you can get pretty photos. The drawback is that you can't stay out too long - it's not good for your camera so it can be a real challenge.

I was out this past week when temperature hovered around -25 C and although I didn't see many people it was evident they had been there. I decided to forgo the tripod - a decision I sometimes regret after the fact.. but in the moment it seems right when my fingers start to freeze.

Sunday Morning

The business of art is to reveal the relation between man and his environment.
D.H Lawrence
 

And They Lived Happily Ever After....

Way-y-y-y back in the early 80's I moved to Ottawa, Canada. When I left my small New Brunswick town I said good-bye to my friends and family and took one last trip to see my expecting sister in law. I couldn't wait another day for my nephew to be born and the next day hopped a train to my future. Two days later Michael arrived in the world. His life began just as I set out to start my new life...Phase 2 we'll call it?

On New Year's Eve I was back in New Brunswick to be with Michael and Andrea as they celebrated the beginning of their life together as husband & wife. His Phase 2 perhaps? They're so cute and their love is beyond palpable.  We had such a great night...lots of laughs and an awesome time with our families. I didn't want the night to end. Now I'm back home and going through my pictures and I can't stop smiling and feeling so happy for them as they begin their married life together. Wishing you both all the happiness in the world. Hugs from Auntie. xx.

Kindred Spirits

                                               I thought this was an interesting perspective.

Is it Wierd?

...when your bank sends you a Christmas card? Does my bank want to be my friend? Do they want to remind me they're watching what's going on? Am I supposed to send one back? What would I say? "Dear Bank. Happy Holidays! This is my cat."

Job Shadowing & the UN-glamourous.

It's been a very busy week on the home front so I've not had too much photography time. I did have the opportunity however to shadow Mr. Harry Nowell www.harrynowell.com this week for a corporate photo session. Shadow sounds like such a covert word doesn't it? Like I was lurking in the background spying on people. It couldn't be further from the truth. I was busting it. It took us about 4.5 hours of set up time to get to the point where he was ready to shoot and very UN-glam. But it was such a valuable experience and my most challenging photo experience yet. I got to see Mr. Nowell in action photographing staff & executives from the CBC and I wanted to do whatever I could to help him.
To Harry... Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!

The rest of the week has been nose to the grindstone at home and doing a little practice shooting [basically anything] when I have time. Oh, the fabulosity* of it all.


* My made up word. Spellchecker went nuts. ( :

Happy Anniversary Blog

I did it! I managed to blog my [photography] life for a whole year!

Can it actually be that long? I look back at the times I thought "Where am I going with this?" and more obvious " I'm such a dork" and those nagging "Who gives a crap?" moments. I know I'm not the only one who has them because you've told me, blogged me, emailed me, FaceBooked me and now ...heaven forbid even Twittered me. Yup I Tweet. Nothing too shocking but I've made some pretty awesome connections here in Ottawa, in the photography world and more specifically the wedding photography world.

So what have I learned in the last year by blogging? That the world is so connected. That I love taking pictures. I actually love people's reactions to the pictures I've taken. Mostly when they like them of course. That every single day I've had struggles. That every single day I've had successes. That the measure of my success is a personal thing and should not determined by anyone but me. That I love my family, my friends and everyone who has supported me and will support me in the future. I cherish you all fiercely.

If I can share some advice for photography ...and life? BE different. Be yourself. Trust your instincts. Walk away from the things that fail you and look for what lifts you up. Your passion will shine through when you are doing what you love. That said, I was going to post a picture of a cake but I just did that in my last post so I'll post a picture of my new shoes. Because they're awesome.

And I'm sure there is at least one girl out there (and maybe a few guys???) saying...Oooooooh-la-la!