Join me as I take one photo a week for the next year, each one capturing a specific aspect of our family life and my kid's childhood that I want remembered. You can read the introduction post here, an FAQ post here and all related posts here.
This week we're photographing the rooms in our home. Usually we photograph a room in the first week but we swapped this month in order to take back-to-school photographs.
Assignment 12: Photograph your family room.We spend a LOT of time in our family room. The kids have a playroom downstairs but our main floor is open concept so this is where we spend the majority of our day. And even though the kids have a tonne of toys in their playroom, their all time favourite thing to play is some sort of imagination game on the couch with the quilts.
Oh those quilts. They make me crazy. I don't know why I even bother to fold them anymore. I debated about putting them away in our linen closet until the weather changes except that Angelo loves to come down in the morning and cuddle up in a quilt while we wakes up. And right now he's loving playing cocoon and wrapping up "Christmas presents" for Gracie in them. So I can't bear to take them away.
This photograph is so them. They love to sit cuddled up next to each other. Angelo was reading a magazine and Gracie was playing with her drawing board but she had to reach over and see what he was doing. Up until a couple weeks ago they would sit together but on the floor but she's just figured out how to get up on the couch and she's pretty proud of herself so now they sit on the couch.
Send me an email or comment below if you're participating - I'd love to see your family room!
3 comments so far
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Our Year in Photos: Month 3 Week 3
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When Jim and I were dating, we spent a fair amount of time up at Whistler. We're so lucky to have such an amazing getaway such a short drive away. I'm no snow-bunny but I love it up there pretty much anytime other than the dead of winter. We were there for a volleyball tournament in 2003 (he was playing, not me) and saw a wedding party being photographed. We turned to each other and both commented on what a great place Whistler would be to get married.
Fast forward to February 2004 when Jim proposed. We knew we wanted an outdoor wedding and that we didn't want to wedding plan for a year and half so September in Whistler it was. We had an amazing wedding at the Chateau and then had our reception at the Westin. Both the venues were gorgeous and it really was a perfect weekend. We were so blessed to have so many of our friends and family there with us.
And now, every year on our anniversary we make our way back to Whistler. We visit other times of the year with the kids but the September long weekend is all ours (thanks to my parents who babysit for us!).
This photograph was taken in the exact same spot we were married, seven years ago to the day.
We're looking somewhat older and somewhat more tired but also, I think, somewhat happier and more content. I love you Jim, happy anniversary.
Fast forward to February 2004 when Jim proposed. We knew we wanted an outdoor wedding and that we didn't want to wedding plan for a year and half so September in Whistler it was. We had an amazing wedding at the Chateau and then had our reception at the Westin. Both the venues were gorgeous and it really was a perfect weekend. We were so blessed to have so many of our friends and family there with us.
And now, every year on our anniversary we make our way back to Whistler. We visit other times of the year with the kids but the September long weekend is all ours (thanks to my parents who babysit for us!).
This photograph was taken in the exact same spot we were married, seven years ago to the day.
We're looking somewhat older and somewhat more tired but also, I think, somewhat happier and more content. I love you Jim, happy anniversary.
4 comments so far
( September 16, 2011 )
michelle s. said:
OH MY GOSH!! I ADORE this shot. I mean like TOTALLY ADORE it. The pose. The quiet contentment. The wedding ring front and center. I just totally love it. Congratulations!!
( September 16, 2011 )
Heather M. said:
I noticed the wedding ring front and center right away too. :) Love the relaxed pose and how comfortable you 2 look together. So glad you were able to get away!
( September 28, 2011 )
Cate said:
I love this shot! And I love your hair. Bangs look great on you.
( September 28, 2011 )
Cate said:
I love this shot! And I love your hair. Bangs look great on you.
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Whistler | Vancouver Family Photographer
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A number of months ago, I was privileged to be asked to be a photographer for The Tiny Light Foundation.
The Tiny Light Foundation is dedicated to providing professional photography services for children and families who have been affected by life-altering diagnoses. I can't think of anything better than giving families whose lives are full of doctors appointments, hospital visits and I imagine a lot of worry, photographs of how special their family really is.
Little Maxxwell and his parents are one of those families I had the pleasure to meet through the Tiny Light Foundation.
The Tiny Light Foundation is dedicated to providing professional photography services for children and families who have been affected by life-altering diagnoses. I can't think of anything better than giving families whose lives are full of doctors appointments, hospital visits and I imagine a lot of worry, photographs of how special their family really is.
Little Maxxwell and his parents are one of those families I had the pleasure to meet through the Tiny Light Foundation.
He took a little while to warm up to me but half way through our session I was getting some of his beautiful smiles and he was grabbing my finger and putting it in his book to get me to read with him. My kids loves the Wiggles but his joy at hearing them reached a whole new level - good thing I'm well-versed in Big Red Car and Hot Potato.
And of course we had to sneak in a bit of time for mom and dad alone at the end of the session. Max was happy to keep me company and give his parents a bit of time together.
If you are a family affected by a life altering diagnosis, I encourage you to apply to have your family professionally photographed.
And of course we had to sneak in a bit of time for mom and dad alone at the end of the session. Max was happy to keep me company and give his parents a bit of time together.
If you are a family affected by a life altering diagnosis, I encourage you to apply to have your family professionally photographed.
3 comments so far
( September 14, 2011 )
Michelle said:
AWESOME!! What a fabulous foundation and a lovely family. You are such a great person to give of your time and talents. :) I'm glad I know you.
( September 14, 2011 )
Michelle Adams said:
Maxxwell is utterly adorable! LOVE that 1st shot of him! :)
( September 16, 2011 )
Heather M. said:
these are such beautiful photos, jenn.
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The Tiny Light Foundation | Vancouver Family Photographer
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Join me as I take one photo a week for the next year, each one capturing a specific aspect of our family life and my kid's childhood that I want remembered. You can read the introduction post here, an FAQ post here and all related posts here.
It's the second week of the month which means we're photographing our family relationships.
Assignment 11: Photograph the relationship between your kids and their grandparents.I tried to make this a little easier for you. Notice I didn't say photograph them with their grandparents? If your parents or your in-laws live close then this is an easy one. If they don't live close by or if they are no longer here, you need to get a little more creative.
We are so blessed to have my parents living close by (for part of the year) and they love their grandkids like crazy. They are so quick to help us out when we need it and especially love taking the kids on special outings even when we don't need the help.
There are so many different photographs I could have taken this week - my dad & Angelo on the seadoo, my mom helping Gracie put on her shoes, all of them together swimming in the pool - but I love these two with each of them completely engrossed in doing something with the kids. My parents have so much patience and, even when the kids want to swim or play at the beach for hours, they happily stay the entire time.
If your parents don't live in your city, you can always photograph your kids talking to them on Skype or on the phone, though I like the Skype idea because then you can have both of them in the photograph. If your parents are no longer here, you can photograph your children doing something that reminds you of your parents or with something of theirs - a quilt handed down or a chair that used to be in their house.
I'd love to see your grandparents photographs - link up below or send me an email.
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Our Year in Photos: Month 3 Week 2
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Some days you just have to dance.
And I love the way he dances with his entire body.
Have a great weekend everyone!
And I love the way he dances with his entire body.
Have a great weekend everyone!
3 comments so far
( September 20, 2011 )
Heather M. said:
these are perfect. i love the expressions you captured and that beautiful light!
( September 20, 2011 )
Heather M. said:
These are perfect! His expressions are awesome and I just love the light.
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dance | vancouver child photographer
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Another month complete. It's hard to believe two months have gone by already.
While I love my monthly photos together again this month, when I was beginning to design this month's album pages I realized that, in all my weekly photographs for this month, I didn't do a close-up of their faces. I'm okay with that for this month but I'm going to think a bit more in September about intentionally getting some shots of their beautiful eyes.
Instead of doing two separate layouts this month, I decided to put all the weekly photographs on one side of the spread and my two favourites from this month on the other side. I had so many personal faves this month but I chose these two because it really shows where they're at right now. Angelo is full of smiles and fun and getting so big (I can't believe how old he looks here)! And Gracie is so independent and really looking like a toddler, especially with her hair pulled back in a hair clip.
And if you have no idea what I'm talking about, you can read about my year in photos capturing a specific aspect of my children's life once a week for the next year here and here and see each weekly post here.
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Listed below are links to blogs that reference this entry:
Our Year in Photos: My August Photographs
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Join me as I take one photo a week for the next year, each one capturing a specific aspect of our family life and my kid's childhood that I want remembered. You can read the introduction post here, an FAQ post here and all related posts here.
The first week of the month is usually a room in the house but I'm preempting that for something a little more time sensitive.
Assignment 10: Photograph your "back to school".Angelo starts a new preschool tomorrow and he's really excited. Since the first day of school is actually tomorrow, this month is a little more "set up" than normal but photographing his back to school get-up now means I can really be there with him enjoying his first day instead of worrying about getting that perfect first day photograph.
For Angelo, the first day of preschool this year is all about his backpack and getting his inside shoes ready and talking about who his teachers and friends will be. If you want to switch it up this week, consider photographing what school means to them instead of the actual first day of school. Maybe it's laying out all their school supplies or going back-to-school clothes shopping.
You can also go to the school today before school starts or one evening when it's not so busy if you want some photographs without all the craziness of that first week of school.
If your littles are too young to be starting school you can still capture the same feeling in your photograph. Most programs start up again in September so maybe it's the start of their swimming lessons or going to daycare. Or maybe the beginning of September means the beginning of fall and switching over to jackets in the morning or boots when you're out for a walk.
We'll still be photographing a room in our home this month, it will just be in a couple weeks instead. Send me an email or link below if you're participating this month so I can follow along with your project!
1 comments so far
( September 20, 2011 )
Heather M. said:
this is so cute. i love how he's holding his backpack straps. :) i finally got mine up. september is too crazy!
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Our Year in Photos: Month 3 Week 1
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On Monday we came home from 5 days in Victoria. With Gracie being almost 17 months old, we've done lots of three day weekend trips in the last couple years but nothing longer than that so it was great to spend some time away relaxing as a family.
My parents had rented a three bedroom condo on the inner harbour 13 months ago when my sister and her fiance lived over there. The thought was we could all hang out and have a long visit. But shortly after they'd booked it my sister accepted a job in Calgary so it ended up just being my parents and us.
My aunt and uncle lived in Victoria while I was growing up so we spent a fair number of weekends over there as kids. Because of that, I thought we'd spend most of our time relaxing by the pool and skip all the touristy stuff but we ended up packing a lot of the tourist stuff in. We were actually in the parliament buildings when they announced that the HST had been repealed, kind of cool in a dorky sort of way.
Gracie still naps in the afternoon so Jim and I would usually stay in the condo while my parents took Angelo out to the pool. He was in heaven having them play with him for so long. And after an entire summer of swimming lessons, Angelo decided he was just going to start swimming on his own (apparently his bones told him how). That's him up above in the middle photograph showing how he swims like a shark now.
Angelo developed a serious addiction to my parents' ipad while we're there. Though in fairness, I developed a similar addiction to their kindle.
Gracie still naps in the afternoon so Jim and I would usually stay in the condo while my parents took Angelo out to the pool. He was in heaven having them play with him for so long. And after an entire summer of swimming lessons, Angelo decided he was just going to start swimming on his own (apparently his bones told him how). That's him up above in the middle photograph showing how he swims like a shark now.
Angelo developed a serious addiction to my parents' ipad while we're there. Though in fairness, I developed a similar addiction to their kindle.
And just so I don't forget... in 5 days we did the Shaw Ocean Discovery Centre in Sidney, Beacon Hill Park, the Parliament Buildings, the Victoria Bug Zoo, date night at Zambri's (where the waiter spilled Jim's appetizer all down the front of him), a walking tour of downtown, go-karts, mini golf, rode the water taxi, took a horse and carriage tour of the inner harbour, walked lots, ate tonnes and spent countless hours at the pool.
2 comments so far
( September 2, 2011 )
Wendy said:
Love the pictures! They really capture our time together. It was a wonderful five days (and very quiet when you left).
( September 2, 2011 )
Terri said:
Great pictures Jenn.
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Victoria | Vancouver Family Photography
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I LOVE this series. LOVE IT~! And I want to curl up on that couch. And I spent yesterday folding all the quilts in our house. I'm thinking I want to hang them on our walls with racks. But I digress...
oh man, you are not making this easy on me. ;) this is gonna be a challenge for me. love all that light in your living room and i feel the same way about all the stuff that seems to get dragged around and pulled out every day in our living room.
oh man, you are not making this easy on me. ;) this is gonna be a challenge for me. love all that light in your living room and i feel the same way about all the stuff that seems to get dragged around and pulled out every day in our living room.