"A [HERO] is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles…"

My father in law recently retired as a well-respected fire captain and I had the privilege of spending an hour with him and his crew capturing some photo mementos of his career.  Here are a few of my favourites!

quote credit: Christopher Reeve

"a new [BABY] is like the beginning of all things…"

Photographing babies is always a challenge, but how wonderful it is to capture a sweet and precious new life!  Warm hands, a few fun props and a lot of patience goes a long way to getting shots like these:

quote credit: Eda J. LeShan

"Having somewhere to go is [HOME], having someone to love is [FAMILY], having both is a [BLESSING]"

Two days before the flood hit High River, I spent a wonderful evening with the amazing and lovely C. family at Sheppard Park - which sadly was very badly damaged only a short time later, as well as the home of these fine folks.  Through it all, what is truly apparent is that even though material possessions perish in flood waters, the sense of home and family only gets stronger.  One realizes that real blessings don't come in boxes and aren't purchased at any store - they are much more than that!

Here are a few of my faves from the session:

quote credit: unknown

"Grow old along with me, the [BEST] is yet to be…"

This beautiful couple got married this past October, and I had the privilege of being the photographer for their special day (pics to come!).  Back in June, we spent a beautiful evening at Fish Creek Park capturing some engagement photos:

quote credit: Robert Browning

"Hold a TRUE [friend] with both your hands…"

This quote has always brought to mind my kindred spirit friend, K.  She has been my best friend since grade 5 and every time we are lucky enough to be together, it is wonderful!

I had the privilege of spending time with her and her beautiful family in April, shortly after the birth of their 3rd child.  I spent a bit of time photographing baby I. and the rest of the A. family while I was there.  Here are my faves:

quote credit: Nigerian Proverb

Updates

Despite my absence from this blog, business is quite good!  I am grateful that I had so many wonderful photo sessions to focus my energy on, despite the difficulties our family faced this summer.  It is hard to look back on my last post, knowing all of those beautiful props, so carefully hunted for, are now sitting in a landfill somewhere, along with the other ruined contents of our flooded High River basement.  Yet, I can tell you, 6 months after that fateful day, I've collected some lovely new props and I continue to enjoy photography, just with a greater sense of thankfulness for this way I can creatively serve God and those around me.  Hang on - I have many wonderful photos to share from the past 8 months of shooting!

Props galore!

I thought I'd share some of the fun props I've been collecting over the last few months that I look forward to using in future photo shoots.  

How fun are these vintage suitcases? The bottom trunk/suitcase, I just picked up today!  The top one was my Oma's and forever, it has held my old Barbie collection.  I can't wait to sit a child atop this pile, or open one up and gently place a newborn baby inside...

a picnic basket, words with blocks or Scrabble letters, a chalkboard to spark your imagination

a frame within a frame...

I can't wait to use this chair.  Love the color, first of all and I have so many ideas for using it!

A few months ago, I had a company called Treasures by Tiffany make me 12 inch letters that spelled the words FAMILY, LOVE and JOY (and anything else those letters spell...MAIL? VEAL? LOAM? :)  If you scroll down and check out my last post, you'll see I used the word FAMILY for the T. photo shoot.  I can't wait to use these more - for Christmas photos, engagement shots, baby announcement pictures....the list is endless.

Ok, I LOVE this ladder.  It's worn, rusty, a bit rickety, but hopefully if I don't stack too many children on the rungs, it'll make for some fun shots...

Something like this? (except not so cheesy!)

Last but not least, a gorgeous purple vintage-looking chair that only cost me $40.  Love it!  Can't you see a bride sitting in it, smelling her bouquet distractedly, a baby curled up on the seat, a grade 12 beauty with legs casually tossed over the arm rest...YES!

The only thing left on my wish list is a colorful patchwork quilt - you know, the kind your Grandma had sitting in the linen closet
like this:

or this:

Does anyone have one kicking around? Think about the great photos I could take!