Lots going on right now including work on a book my clients will be able to use to help decide how to display the images from your session. I'm excited about it as I think it will really help everyone see there are so many options beyond "one image over the fireplace" as the way to display your portrait art.

If you haven't entered the Yoyomama contest yet, head over now and post your comment. The contest ends Tuesday so you only have a few more days.

We were out enjoying the sun at the year-end bbq for our daycare today. Great weather and so much fun to see Angelo playing with all his little friends. A quick one from this afternoon....

I have been debating for some time about whether or not to offer frames. For the time being I'm not going to offer stock frames, however, I've decided I can't hold off telling you about Obrien Schridde. I discovered Obrien Schridde a few weeks ago after hearing about them from a fellow photographer in the US.


My house is fairly contemporary but I've really been wanting to mix things up lately and add in some different home decor. These frames are going to be perfect. The Elegant style is my favourite but I think I'm going to order a couple in the Classic and Beaded styles as well. They're going to look great in my family room but I'm also thinking about a spot in our upstairs hallway.

I will not be stocking these as a regular item, however, I will be placing an order on Monday June 29th. If anyone is interested in purchasing any Obrien Schridde frames, please email me by Friday June 26th.

What to Wear Part 3: Maternity Session

On to the final installment of what to wear for your family photography session. Today's post covers what to wear for your maternity photographs.

If you missed the first two posts about what to wear for your photography session, check out:
What to Wear for your Family Photography Session and
What to Wear for your Newborn Photography Session

For a lot of people, this session can be the toughest one to dress for. At 37 weeks pregnant, most people don't feel very sexy. But the good news for maternity sessions is.... almost anything goes. Wear that one outfit you have in your closet that you know looks great. If you look great in a white tank and jeans, wear that. If you look fabulous in a fancier dress you bought to wear to a wedding, we can pick a more urban setting and your photographs will look great!


The big thing to keep in mind is the more fitted, the better. We want clothes that are going to show off your gorgeous bump!

And remember, you can always change clothes half way through the session if you want some sexy dressed up photographs and some more casual yoga pant photographs.

When I find something I love, I always want to share it with everyone I know. So now begins a semi-regular series of things I love.

My latest fave toy is my new Flip Video 30 min camcorder. It's listed on Amazon right now for a crazy low price and with shipping I ended up paying less than $80CAD.


Jim wasn't thrilled at the fact that I purchase a video camera being as we already have one but for me this one is totally different. We have had our video camera for 2 years and I have yet to use it. It has way too many features and buttons, I have no idea to download the videos and, by the time you get it in it's case, it's too clunky to regularly have with you.

In comes the new flip video.... it's the size of a small point & shoot camera so I can throw it in my purse and not even notice it's in there. It's super easy to use - press the power button and then press the big red button to start recording and the big red button a second time to stop recording. It comes with a pop-out USB stick built in so it's really easy to get the videos on your computer. Each video downloads as an individual file which means you don't even have to do any editing to get just the part you want.

Have I convinced you yet? :) I can't say enough great things about it.

Here is the first clip I videoed with my flip - Jim and Angelo doing some alphabets. Consider yourself forewarned... I have a total cutie. And I am aware that this clip is likely something only a mama (or a grandma) would love. :) It's a bit shaky but I've improved on that a bit since I first got it.

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What to Wear Part 2: Newborn Session

Naked is best - for your baby that is! Most of the photographs I take will be with your baby in his or her diaper or in the buff. Please make sure you put on loose fitting clothing for the few hours before our session. We don't want to see any elastic marks from tight fitting socks or the waistband from a cute little outfit. Make sure you put the diaper on looser beforehand too - don't want any diaper marks! I have lots of wraps and diaper covers I'll bring along so we'll be able to get some colour and texture into your images that way - though who can resist newborn baby skin.

Hats can be really fun for a few of the images too. I have some I'll bring along but if you've picked up one or two (or ten) bring them out for your session and we can incorporate them.

Don't worry about your little one being cold - we're going to have the heat cranked.

Now that we have your baby sorted out... on to you. I know I'm usually an advocate for colour but newborn sessions are one place where neutral tends to be best. In general, a plain white, black or coloured t-shirt or tank along with jeans, nicer black leggings or yoga pants is great for mom. A plain tee with jeans usually works best for dad.

Since we're going to be inside your house and it's going to be hot, bare feet are a good option. If you're going to wear socks, please make sure they are a similar colour to your pants.

Newborn sessions tend to be fairly simple to dress for but if you have any questions, please put them in the comments or send me an email and I'll post the answer here for everyone.

Coming soon... part 3: maternity sessions.

I'm really behind in posting sneak peeks. In fact, I think most of my clients receive their orders before their 'sneak peeks' are ever posted on my blog. But I had a great session on the weekend for a friend of mine and I know she's dying to see them.


Shannon is the most amazing make-up artist ever. I was fortunate enough to meet her 7 years ago and haven't had to pick out my own make-up since (thank goodness since picking make-up that will look fabulous on me is not a skill I have). She even drove up to Whistler to do the make-up at my wedding.


This little guy loves grass. Literally. Like he ate it constantly. Even when we were all starting to get red eyes and sniffly noses from all the grass and cotton he was still chowing down.

Hello sunshine!
 
I've heard stories about an amazing red barn out at Campbell Valley Park (which is way further away than you think it's going to be) and I was on the hunt. After wandering around the main part of the park for a while, we hopped in our cars and headed out to find the barn. We spotted it and I was in love. And Shannon was in love with this gorgeous yellow school house.


Aren't they a gorgeous family?!
 

This past weekend we travelled to Thetis Island for the wedding of a good friend of mine (congratulations Steph!). Going to Thetis Island was the thrill of a lifetime for a two year old who loves boats and planes and would gladly spend the entire day outside if he could.

You have to love the look on his face when he finds out he gets to ride a ferry boat for the first time.

As soon as we got there it was nap time (mean mama!) but as soon as he was up we were heading out to kick the soccer ball and throw rocks in the water. There's nothing better than turning over a rock and seeing the crabs scatter.

If you are the parent of someone 5 years or younger and don't yet know about yoyomama head on over to the website and sign up for the daily (weekday) emails. Annemarie Tempelman-Kuit writes about all the great new products designed to make your life easier and, my personal favourite, fun things to do around the lower mainland. She also has a sister site yoyobelly for anyone expecting.

For the month of June, I am excited to be the sponsor of the yoyomama contest - always very popular on her site. Visit the contest page and leave a comment letting us know why you want your family to have a photography session with me and you'll be entered to win a free session plus an 11"x14" print - a prize worth $475!