Behind the Scenes: Sarah

A few weeks ago, I received an email from a fan asking if I was in need of models for doing photo shoots.  I typically don't work with models so to say, but I do like to have a few people to help me out when I have a concept I want to shoot.  There was something about this email, about this girl, that had me intrigued... and because I like a good case of creativity, I tested her.  After hearing her ideas, I decided we needed to do a trial shoot and see how we would work together.

Today we kept the shoot casual and natural, but Sarah truly stood out!  We got along fabulously and even did an installment for one of the future shoot ideas!  She is such a beautiful soul, inside and out... I am glad I listened to my gut when that email came through!

There are so many gorgeous photos from this shoot and I wish I could post them all, but alas, I have to head to bed as I'm back to work early tomorrow morning!  I promise to post a few more photos from this shoot in the next few days.  I also am looking forward to collaborating with Sarah some more on her concepts, I feel that the message these concepts deliver are powerful ones, and definitely worthy of being demonstrated through photography!

Welcome to Caribou, Nova Scotia!

Just to mix things up a little, I thought I would blog a little about the community I live in, the place I call home.  I live in an area called Caribou, and even more specific, Waterside.  It truly is the perfect name, I am surrounded by water, the Caribou River runs close to the front of my house, the Caribou "harbor" a view out the side of my house and the Northumberland Strait a veiw from the back of my house.  I truly am blessed to have such gorgeous surroundings.  Every few months, mother nature steps in with her magic wand and changes things up a little, always keeping the surroundings changing, vivid, gorgeous.

This particular photo was taken at the ferry terminal in Caribou.  The piece of land you see in the distance is the tip of Caribou Island where a lighthouse is perched on the point to keep the ferry a safe distance from land.  Caribou Island is truly a beautiful spot with water on either side of most properties (although winters are always so pleasant!)

I also get to enjoy a variety of wildlife living where I do, such as this gorgeous and stately Great Horned Owl. He is a frequent visitor in the late spring and summer.  Many nights I endure the pesky bugs just to watch him in my yard... he's well worth the bug bites!

Smiles, giggles and everything baby!

Yesterday I held studio mini sessions for a group of awesome moms and their sweet little babies!  I moved my dining area over (thank goodness for an open concept house with TONS of space) and made a studio space for this very occasion (and to be honest with you, I'm likely going to make this a permanent studio space as it was such a success)  With tons of props, we got started and the images are amazing!

The little giggles and chatters of my clients reminded me of why capturing the true personality of a person at that very moment is absolutely crucial... capturing them as they are to always remember the innocence and personality they possess <3  It is why I captured hundreds and hundreds of photos of my own son!

After such a successful photo session, I have decided to make my home my official studio :)

Capturing the person as they are is of utmost importance to me... and sometimes you have to be a little innovative when it comes to toddlers and babies!  These sweet faces had me on my toes, but they also had me in my element!  Give me a baby to photograph and you'll have some of the cutest, most innocent images to  brag about for a lifetime!

Aren't these critters adorable???  I will add a few more photos  before closing this posting, hope you enjoy!

The Boy who has my Heart

I am many things... being a mom is the most important of titles I hold :)  On top of mom, I am also a daughter, sister, friend, aunt, nurse and wife.  I guess you could also say I am a chef, activity director, maid, chauffeur, artisan and kid at heart!

Not often do I share photos of my boy, mostly because he hides so well from the camera!  When I do have a good photo, I cherish it with all my might.  He is such a sweet child with tons of love and kisses readily available for mommy when needed.

This morning, he was more than happy to help set up my studio for a session, and was even more keen to be the subject for a few minutes!  This was a photo I managed to capture of those gorgeous eyes and sweet face....

The Barefoot "Footprint"

In preparing for tomorrow's studio session with a great bunch of giggly babies, I thought I would take a photo of some of my gear....

I think it is safe to say that my gear is taking over part of my house... but with good intentions!  I will have happy parents with gorgeous photos to cherish a lifetime!

Wondering what you see in this photo?  There is a boom stand, soft box, studio strobe, background light, umbrella, reflector, a couple light stands and my tripod that is the same cost as my car payment!

Welcome to my love, my investment in your memories!

Meet miss cutie pie!

While out delivering some handcrafted items to a client, I had the opportunity to snap some photos of her SWEET daughter who is cute as a button!  She was all smiles for the camera, something that made me want to dance as there is nothing cuter than a smiley, happy, camera friendly baby!  She has a smile that will melt your heart and is one conversationalist!  I know her momma will be booking me in for future photos, and after today's little session, I simply can not wait!!!

Behind the "Little Black Dress"

fWhat the heck??  I'm sure you are thinking that after reading this subject!  The Little Black Dress is a package I have for photos, and is one I wish I could give away to every single woman in the world!  My Little Black Dress package is for boudoir photography, and I can't even begin to tell you how empowering, beautiful, self securing, and how positive of an experience it truly is.  You MUST have faith and trust in your photographer for your images to turn out.  You also want to know that your photographer knows what they are doing and even better, that they've done a boudoir photo session previously.

I have done quite a few now, and each one is different, but the way the woman feels at the end of the session when we review the photos is not different... my experience has been every woman finishes the session feeling beautiful, secure, self confident, sexy and in some cases, fierce!

I prefer to take photos that flatter each individual person, to showcase the beauty within the woman, to show who they are.  A number of photos are done without showing the client's face, and no photo will ever show anything inappropriate.  That is not what boudoir photography is about.

The entire shoot is done very delicately, slowly, without rush or pressure.  I listen to the client's wishes for how they would like to have their photos look, how they would like them to feel, and go from there.  Some sessions take 2 hours, some take more, but the time it takes is not important, it is the final results.

The session usually starts with the client feeling shy, a little insecure, and this is completely normal!  I would react the same if I were on the other side of the lens.  But after the camera starts clicking and the client gets used to how I work, my encouragement, praises and compliments, they begin to feel comfortable and it shows.  The transformation that happens during the shoot is inspiring, every single time!  By the end of the session, it is common for me to experience the client suggesting angles and shoots... and I capture these for them, as by this point, the woman is truly herself, her beautiful, sexy, confident self!