....you're my [favorite]

I always tell my boys that they're my favorite - these days, it's "you're my favorite 10 year old" to my responsible and hard-working son, T.  A whisper of "you're my favorite 8 year old" to G, my sensitive and big-hearted middle son, and a "you're my favorite 6 year old" along with a tickle and a squeeze, to my rowdy and energetic youngest.

The last photos taken of the boys was July 2014...and they've grown up so much since then - it was time for an update and this go-round, I thought instead of Walmart, instead of hiring another photographer or purchasing the overpriced school photo, I would take the photos of them myself, in our own back yard...

When I look at the results of our one hour "session", my heart is full of gratitude - for how well they cooperated with this photographer mama, for the huge and awesome responsibility it is to parent them, for everything about them that makes "him" my favorite.

oops!  An overexposed shot ends up being one of my favorites!

melt your heart!

There's the mischievous smile I know and love!

(and the reward for all that smiling and sitting nice!)

Being a mom to these three isn't always easy, or quiet, or simple.  But, no matter what, I have three favorites!  I feel like the luckiest mom in the world!

i [love] my life and the ones in it!

It is a little bit tricky to be both the photographer and one of the subjects, but it can be done, with the right amount of cooperation, a generous helping of beautiful weather, and the promise of a turkey dinner afterwards!  Add a really great location and a well-planned wardrobe theme, and it goes even better than anticipated!!

I have a wonderful family on BOTH sides, but on this occasion, Thanksgiving Monday, I had the privilege of capturing my AMAZING in-law family - all 24 of us!  Whew! It took a bit of running back and forth to the camera, but the full family shots turned out so well!

except for maybe this shot?...

(It is always a treat to see the result of the "give me your silliest face" pose!)

And a few of the individual family/couple shots!  I think we have the makings of a really great photo wall collage here!

I love sharing my life with these precious folks...and I love taking photos of happy families!  Best of both worlds in this case!

From this day [forward]...

May 29, 2015 was a very special day for this couple, and I had the privilege and opportunity to be a part of the celebration!  Both D. and J. love to laugh and have fun and it is infectious to everyone around them!  From the special moment they first laid eyes on each other to the surprise flash dance at the reception, it was a wonderful day celebrating a wonderful couple!

Here are a few of my favorite shots:

Do YOU have a special day coming up?  If you'd like more information about wedding photography, please check out the price list and the wedding package terms and conditions.  For other examples of my wedding photography, be sure to like the Facebook page and click on the WEDDING album.

"It's not too late to live [happily ever after]"

This event is a once in a lifetime kinda deal.  My almost-89-year-old grandma got married for the second time on April 11 to John Pankratz.  My dear Grandpa passed away in September of 2013 after a long battle with dementia.  My Grandpa's sister, Helen, wife to John, also recently passed away after a similar struggle with dementia.  Through the journey of caring for loved ones who were slowly slipping away, working through the grief and loneliness after losing them, my Grandma and John comforted each other and eventually, their familiar, casual relationship turned to love!  Not wanting to waste a minute of their second chance, they tied the knot in a simple ceremony after a short engagement.  I was not only able to be present to witness, but I was the photographer as well!

To see the entire final album of photos, please click here.

**As always, downloading is not permitted and photographer copyright laws apply to the fullest extent.  

If you are a family member wishing to order a final disk (all the photos you see in the online album), they are $20 each plus shipping if applicable.  (Winnipeg residents, free delivery of your disk will happen in early June) Please email kdeesphotography@yahoo.ca to place your order.

"[sweet] like honey dipped in hugs"

This little sweetie and her big sister are my FAVORITE!  They are energetic and happy, bursting with life!

Miss C turned one in February and to mark the occasion, we held an on-location studio shoot.  We had to work hard for these photos, but in the end, captured some really fantastic shots!  A little patience, a lot of rest breaks, a few cookies and one well-loved stuffie did the trick (plus a balloon for big sister, L to keep her occupied!) 

Here are some from the shoot:

(sepia finish)

She's ONE!

quote credit: etsy.com

"A [baby] is a little bit of heaven on earth"

This family has grown!  Baby E. came into this world on February 7 and only a few days later, I spent some time at the L. family home to celebrate her arrival!  Here are a few of my favorites from the shoot.

Quote credit: unknown