Wednesday, January 31, 2007

January 27th Wedding

Our location was the Old Mill in Toronto -- beautiful location and the staff was great to work with. I hope to go back to this stunning spot for more photos in the future.
Oh, and talking about stunning check out these girls and their dresses -- WOW!!!

Instead of flowers these ladies had muffs for this winter wedding. As you can see only the Maid of Honor has a few roses on her muff.


Lora took over from there with photographing the bride and girls and I went onto photograph the men and family before the ceremony. Here's what we got:



I was laughing soooo hard at the faces they were making :)

This photo below Lora took. I'm just adding it here to show that yes there was a bride. I just covered the other side of the wedding.

It was a blast working with Lora and my fav. videographer Will from http://www.cwvp.ca/. I also meet another fun photographer that I went to highschool with and I hope to see her soon as well again.

The family was a lot of fun and everyone was very easy to photograph. Not to mention the snow...love the snow for photos! We had some new snow come the night before and it was perfect.

Tuesday, January 30, 2007

Birthday Cards for Shane



Help Shane, in the CHEO hospital (Ottawa) who is trying to break the world record for receiving the most cards. The record is 3 million. Schools from around the Ottawa area are mailing and Shannon Ruisendaal is trying to get Belleville involved. The cards can be either birthday or best wishes and can me handmade.

I have a lot of card making friends out there who I hope will join in helping Shane meet his goal. And I'm hoping the Picton Brownies will get involved as my sister is a team leader for them.

I have seen on another blog that his birthday is in May. After doing a search on this tory I fhave found it to be on a good number of blogs.

Here is a link to check out: http://www.1053kissfm.com/station_info/cartersandraboyle.jsp



And here is Shane's profile:

CHILD PROFILE
Name: Shane
Age: 7
Diagnosis: A.L.L. Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia
Likes: all sports, building things, video games
Dislikes: being in the hospital for long periods of time
Favorite thing in the whole world: Lego
At almost 5 years old Shane was diagnosed with A.L.L. After 1 month into the treatment he was in early remission, meaning there were no cancer cells in his blood. Shane's family was very pleased with the early results, but his protocol called for 130 weeks of treatment. Then on July 6th, 2006 Shane relapsed after completing 108 of the 130 weeks. It was a shock to everyone including his doctors. Shane may have to undergo a bone marrow transplant down the road, but the good thing is that his brother Jacob is a match. Presently, there is no sign of cancer in Shane's system since relapsing.

If you want to find out more information:
Contact the KISS FM Morning Show!

Carter Brown: carter@1053kissfm.com

Sandra Plagakis: sandra@1053kissfm.com

Andrew Boyle: theboyle@1053kissfm.com

Monday, January 29, 2007

Thanks to everyone for coming out and visiting us at the Quinte Mall Bridal Show!!!

It was a lot of fun chatting with several brides about wedding plans :) and meeting others that I have been chatting with through email and over the phone.

Every bride that booked with us already knew they wanted our services so that was really cool! One bride to be even booked her wedding around my already scheduled weddings....also very cool! I've photographed two of her friends so she knows my work.

A huge thanks to Janet and Melissa for covering on Saturday when I was photoing a wedding, and also for helping out on the other days, and for set up and take down. You gals are great!

Hopefully tomorrow I'll get to posting Saturdays beautiful wedding.

I was escorted by the police.....

At 2:30 in the morning I was awoken by the door bell ringing and some knocks on the door. I got up and looked out the window to find a police officer at the door. To wake up at this time with a police officer at the door the first thing I thought was someone must have passed away. Thank goodness all the kids were home or I would have been panicking.

As I posted early last week, my son and I came home to horses running around the yard. Well, now at 2:30 in the morning they are grazing (eating grass) in a neighbors lawn...on a totally different street from where I live and they had to walk through a small forest to get there.

So, at 2:30 in the morning I am out brining back 5 horses to their stalls. They had winter coats on and could walk right through the electric fence and not feel it. Smart, aren't they?!! The police officer followed us all home to make sure the job was done.

Never a dull moment....

Friday, January 26, 2007

more blah, blah, blog :)

The bridal show is going well. I meet a 2010 bride...wow, ah?!! Way to plan ahead!

Today a bride to be booked for a May wedding. She has one of those little tiny dogs she was carrying around in a Lui Vaton purse. The adorable pouch will be in the wedding with a tux and top hat. How cute is that?!!

A good number of brides stopped by because they read I was going to be there here. Thanks for visiting!

Besides that three local photographers stopped by to say hi and I've meet a few just starting to get in the biz who were just checking out my work...I remember I use to do that :) I showed one photo girl a trick in photoshop and she left skipping down the hallway, sooo funny!!!

Tomorrow I'm off to the Old Mill in Toronto to photo a wedding. It will be great as the couple is a lot of fun and I'll get to posting photos after the weekend.

Chat soon....

Engaged!!!

Engaged to be married this year in Prince Edward County

We headed out for some winter snow photos...not much snow in this photo but we took some down by the river...I just can't post everything :)

This photo was taken for Niki's dad. He's a farmer???

Our cows are pretty photojenic :)

Thursday, January 25, 2007

Quinte Mall Show

Tomorrow is day 1 of the quinte mall bridal show. My table is all set up and ready to go. My son and I were at the mall at closing time setting up for tomorrow. I have two tables and am right by Japan Camera. The wedding vendor next to me is 'Live, Love and Laugh Flowers' They have a beautiful disply and lucky me -- I get to smell fresh flowers for the next few days!

Once Bradley and I got back home, we came home to 4 horses running arond the yard! The fun never stops here :) So after some barn chores, here I am updating my website and working on a slideshow....time for bed :)

Saturday, January 20, 2007

In this weeks Quinte Mall Bridal Show it will be my good friend Sabina and I there for photographers. I'm not sure where her table will be but she is great so be sure to check her out if you plan on going. Here is her website link: http://www.sabinechorley.com/

The show will supply the brides with gift bags (as most shows do) and included is a booklet filled with wedding tips and vendors. I'm not sure what I'll be adding to the bags. All vendors are adding a coupon of some sort....I'm still working on mine.

Here is my book add below:

Loving my logo Jenna Faye!

Also, Gerri from Belle Balloons will be there. She is another great vendor I love to work with. I stopped by her store today and chatted for about 40 min or so. If you haven't seen her website check it out here: http://www.belleballoons.com/ The beautiful photo on her home page is from Elizabeth Manley wedding we worked at together.

Twins coming today!!!! + another mat session

It's after midnight now and the babies are on the way now as I type! How exciting!!! Two boys!

This photo shows how big she was just a few days before delivery. We took these photos on Tuesday.

We got the husband involved for hand modelling only :) He's shy


Love her hair!

A little selective colour with a daisy

Can you believe twins are in there?!!

I LOVE maternity session!!!

Friday, January 19, 2007

About Image Calendar

Some of you have this, but for those that don't this is this years About Image Photography Calendar. I keep them in the studio and you can pick them up at all my upcoming bridal shows. If you don't see it on the bridal table, just ask.

One from today
The online proofing is now up and running.
  • click here
  • to view an example of an online gallery.

    Once you are asked for the 'EVENT ID' type the code 'sample_natandmat' and that will log you in to view a sample gallery I have made. Form there it's pretty easy for viewing photos and ordering enlargments.

    The link will be added to my website soon.

    For current story book proofing and enlargement orders -- you have been e-mailed your Event ID code to log you in.

    Wednesday, January 17, 2007

    Quinte Mall Bridal Show

    I just got my location for the Quinte Mall bridal show! I'll be right around Japan Camera...off to one side or the other -- not a bad location :)

    And, as I've mentioned earlier, I won't be there Saturday because I'm off helping a friend cover a wedding because her assistant is not relaible and is now fired, but the good news is if I ever need help (and I have) she would, and has been there for me and so would a great number of other friends I have in the biz....I love you guys and gals!

    Tuesday, January 16, 2007

    More Maternity in B&W


    I took a few of my favorite photos and turned them into B&W and with permission of the models and have displayed their faces.

    Any day now -- BABY!!!

    Maternity Slideshow


    This is one of my very favourite past wedding couples. I photographed their wedding about three years ago now and I know a few of you even know her because she has sent a few of you my way for some photography work. She is also employed where she gets to know a lot of people here in Belleville. We took exactly 176 photos in her maternity session and here are just a few of my fav.'s that are body shots. I wasn't sure if she wanted her face displayed in all her glory :) with her husband, but here are a few very nice images.

    They are due this week!!!

    Monday, January 15, 2007

    Anyone who knows me, knows I have two addictions.

    The first being lip chap, or chap stick as other call it (Melissa). I have lip chap in my car, purse, studio, on my desk (both of them), in pockets of all my coats, on the kitchen shelf, in my boyfriends car, in my mothers car, and even between the mattresses of my bed. Right now I have 5 beside me -- 4 Blistex tubs, and 1 round Blistex. In 2005 my sister gave me a stocking full of lip chap and my friend Lora gave me a gift bag full of all kinds of lip chap including chocolate flavored lip chap from Kit Kat.

    The lip chap addiction I cannot beat.....nor do I plan on it, but it's been an addiction for about 12 years or so.

    The other addiction I have had is Ice Caps from Tim Hortons. On an average week I easily drink 5-8 Ice Caps. That's 22grams of fat and a whole lot of sugar. Unfortunately, this has been a habit of mine for about 6+ years and I have brought others down with me but they have got past the addiction. Not to long ago I was instructing Aqua Fit and would bring in an Ice Cap with me. Isn't that awful?!! I'd be instructing with my Ice Cap while others worked hard in the pool drinking water. (I've been off the gym for about 3 months and just applied to another gym and was hired but haven't decided if I want the work yet or not.)

    Well, for the last 2 weeks I have maybe had 6 Ice Caps. That's 6 in 14 days. Instead I have been drinking about 3 Hot Chocolates a day. I always say this and fall off my wagon but I'm trying to cut back on the Ice Cap's.

    I thought this cartoon was cute for all the other addicts out there. I know I'm not the only one.

    Sunday, January 14, 2007

    New, new, new.....I have three more galleries added to my website: children at weddings, studio, and pets.

    And two more links more links, portrait sessions and online orders

    Check it out: www.aboutimagephotography.com

    Online Orders

    It's been since last April when I went to one of the biggest photo conventions in the world that I have been looking for an online ordering system. After taking my time and looking into 12 different companies I have finally found the one!!!

    What does this mean???

    Every session, may it be a portrait session, engagements to weddings -- your photos will be placed into a gallery that you will be able to access with a password for proofing and ordering.

    In addition to viewing your photos this new company that I have partnered up with also allows your wedding story albums to be viewed, proofed and ordered as well.

    Once you have your password you can email it out to friends and family who will then also be able to view your images or story book and even order for themselves.

    So, now how do you do this??? Well, I have updated my website with a new link "online proofs" (last link, bottom right) all you do is click there and the rest will be a matter of knowing your name :) and password.

    This is still being setup with the company I finally decided on and will be up and running soon.

    All galleries will only be available for viewing for three months from the posting date. That will give everyone lots of time to order what they like without taking to much time to getting to it.

    Saturday, January 13, 2007

    I'm off to the Rogers Center today for the Bridal Show. My website is up and down...not to sure what's going on with it but I'll get to it tomorrow as it will be late when I get home tonight.

    Thursday, January 11, 2007

    Geertsma Story Album

    Enlargements orders are ready for:
    Tara
    Genieve,
    Carlie

    Late orders from school photos and day care photos are also complete. School photos have been delivered and daycare photos are being delivered tomorrow.

    16x20 for Nat will be printed by the lab on Jan 18th

    Any other orders feel free to get the in ASAP as I'm picking up another order this Wednesday and again next Wednesday

    Monday, January 08, 2007

    New Story Albums



    I just got these in before Christmas. They are beautiful Story Albums, also known as Coffee Table Books. I've been designing coffee table books for two years now and each book is truly beautiful as some of you have seen, but these new books are stunning. I'll have them at the upcoming bridal shows on display as well as last years Story Albums.
    More Bridal shows:

    The Rogers Centre -- Toronto
    Largest Bridal Show in Canada
    expecting a total of 20,000 brides over the weekend
    January 12-14
    I'll be there with frien photographer 'Photography by Lora'

    The Quinte Mall -- Belleville
    January 25-28
    I won't be there Saturday but assistants Janet & Melissa will be there to take my place and fill in any questions you might have. I'll be helping a photographer friend who is in last minute need of some help covering a wedding. However, I'll be at the show Thursday, Friday and Sunday.

    The Arena -- Picton
    February 18th

    That will be it for me until the fall.

    Yesterdays show was great. There were a total of 9 men there (2 of them came to my table) and I meet someone with the same first and last name as me. I also meet the beautiful Crystal from the free wedding contest. Pictures do not do her justice as she is stunning and everyone in her wedding party is also very beautiful. I also meet Kelly who booked me for her wedding last year. Her and fiance Robin have their engagement photos posted in this blog a few months ago. There were a few other familiar faces, people from high school and even others that recognized me as the photographer from past weddings. The show was great and all the brides to be agreed.

    Saturday, January 06, 2007

    Snow much fun :)


    We went from studio to outdoor photos since we had snow and it was actually a nice day. Of course being nice, the snow was gone by noon but we took advantage of it while it was here. I just love snow photos....wish we had more snow here!!!

    Tomorrow's Bridal Show

    Belleville's Banquet Centre (1 Alhambra St) is holding a bridal show tomorrow from 12:00-3:30 with a fashion show from 1:30-3:00. The give away prize is a 42" screen TV. Each bride, as she walks in the door is handed a gift bag full of goodies.

    I'll be there with assistant Melissa so feel free to come meet us and enjoy the show.

    Thursday, January 04, 2007


    Jocelyn & Paul made it to the studio over the holidays for thier engagement session. We meet about seven months ago when they booked me for their upcoming July wedding which will take place in beautiful Picton.

    Wednesday, January 03, 2007

    101 things to do in 1001 days

    I don't really make new years resolutions because I always have monthly goals.

    A few photographers have started this: 101 things to do in 1001 days. If you google it you will see tone of lists like this and even help forums on how to get your list started.

    Here' mine:

    1. redesign my website
    2. launch a mom blog
    3. have my work published in a magazine
    4. Shoot a wedding outside Canada
    5. get a bunny
    6. get to the gym more
    7. buy two more studio lights

    8. teach photography classes
    9. get my birth certificate
    10. and passport

    11. look into teeth whitening that doesn’t hurt
    12. learn to skate
    13. learn to line dance
    14. learn Adobe Lightroom
    15. learn and use Show It
    16. organize my office…like really organize (didn't last long)
    17. blog for a straight 30 days/1 month
    18. get more 12 or 12’s done
    19. write something and have it published
    20. learn RAW
    21. get my thank you cards out to those I need to thank
    22. have regular massages
    23. listen to more comedy
    24. go to more movies and plays
    25. visit with a friend once a month
    26. go on outings with other photogs

    27. tan regularly
    28. get back at instructing aerobics
    29. learn to cook
    30. follow a weekly food plan
    31. plan grocery shopping trips with a food list
    32. cook 4-5 nights a week
    33. Bake once a month
    35. learn more vegetarian recipes

    35. take a road trip just for fun
    36. Find my old friend Richalean (spelling)
    37. buy a good hair straighter and the serum to go with it
    38. donate the clothing and shoes I don’t wear
    39. Attend a Yervant course (MAY)

    40. keep to my daily to do lists
    41. listen to uplifting motivational programs while driving

    42. drink 8-10 glasses of water a day
    43. make more photo friends (always doing)
    44. second shoot a wedding for someone I admire ( I shoot to much for time to do this)
    45. switch from pc to mac
    46. pay off school loans
    47. pay off biz loans
    48. take Brad RVing
    49. make a habit of cleaning my car
    50. go a whole month without eating out
    51. enjoy a spa with a friend for a day
    52. own all the Sex in the City seasons (almost there)
    53. complete a scrapbook
    54. read more on parenting
    55. burn the candles in my house

    56. buy the studio pros on my wish list (always a growing list)
    57. update my wardrobe (ugh)
    58. find and buy a designer purse that is not leather
    59. buy a red purse
    60. buy winter boots

    61. take a long hike with Brad and not get lost
    62. limit weddings to 20-25 a year as that’s plenty
    63. shoot a dress trash session in a car wash
    64. start a photo series
    65. shoot something for charity (PAWS & Cancer)
    66. shoot ‘a day in the life of…someone”
    67. encourage or mentor upcoming local photographers
    68. stop drinking Ice Caps (I quite trying to quite)
    69. have a gallery in the studio (almost done)
    70. improve my lifestyle
    71. shoot for a calendar
    72. do at least one thing everyday to improve my business
    73. sing in the car more with my sister
    74. learn to snowboard
    75. read at least one complete book a month
    76. learn more about hockey and what the blue line is all about
    77. spend more time on photo forums

    78. spend less time on facebook
    79. take my son camping and build a fire (didn’t work last time)
    80. go horseback riding
    81. update from an MP3 to an ipod

    82. purchase a wide angle lens
    83. watch more photo videos
    84. meet 10 photogs I know only through FaceBook
    85. advertise on the radio
    86. have a store front studio
    87. move into a bigger place
    88. learn off camera flash
    89. take my son out of the country
    90. get a new phone
    91. find some stuff to out on my sons bedrooms walls
    92. learn to do the things again that I miss
    93. get new backdrops for the studio
    94. buy brad new goalie skates. he's only ever had used
    95. learn more about finances
    96. raise money for something I believe in
    97. jog more with my son
    98. keep my son active and interested in sports
    99. get new business cards
    100. give my at least son 4 hugs a day
    101. make more time for family

    Monday, January 01, 2007