Halloween - My Costume

So here's my take on an 80's Halloween Costume

Rockin' it

Today I'm rockin it 80's style....not necessarily what I would have chosen for a Halloween costume but it was a group decision so majority rules.

But hey, I'm still havin' fun with it. 

I'm rockin' legit 80's friendship bracelet, blue eye shadow and big hair :)

Photo to follow....maybe.....lol.

Happy Halloween!!!

Have a spook-tacular weekend everyone!

On the Mend

I'm feeling great! The best I've felt in a few days now. And so grateful for it. Not a big fan of being down and out :(

My goal for the next couple of days is to prepare a costume for Friday, get Jesse's costume ready for his party tomorrow, the annual pumpkin carve with the girls, a shoot on Saturday and then Halloween on Sunday.

Yep super busy but it also means lots of photos....yay.

So do you do anything for Halloween? If yes, what? Are you dressing up? As what?

Love to hear how you note the occasion...or don't at all?

Tummy Aches

I'm feeling too miserable to write. I think I might be getting what Jesse had :(

Oh the joys of motherhood.

Still worth every minute though!

Happy Monday!

Tummy Bugs

Today I'm home....taking care of a sick little boy.

He's going through his first stomach flu.

Poor guy....can't even tell me when his tummy bug hurts :(

Hopefully it doesn't last long and he'll be back to his old self.

Right now...he's having a nap. He's so sweet.

Anticipation

It's very rare that things in life are as easy as we originally anticipated.....

But aren't these unexpected challenges, exactly what makes life so fun and interesting?

And because I haven't posted a photo of Boone in a while...here ya go!

Happy Thursday :)

One of Those Days

Friday ended up being "one of those days"

I forgot food and a sippy cup for Jesse when I was heading out the door.

When I picked him up that evening his babysitter very tactfully asked if I had her payment.

I gasped when I realized what I had done. Or actually what I hadn't done!

I normally pay her in the morning...eeesh!!!!

I ran to the car, grabbed my purse and started writing her a cheque.

Immediately I crossed out what I was writing and scribbled VOID across the cheque.

I was spelling her name wrong.

Gave her the cheque and realized I didn't fill out the amount.

Good Grief!

As I thanked her and wished her good night she gently asked me if she needed to call to make sure I got home okay. 

I laughed and reassured her I was fine!

A day where I was absent-minded. A day where life just kept overwhelming me and I couldn't keep my thoughts straight.

And yet somehow in it all I managed to keep my sense of humour and the day worked out to be okay.

I'm so lucky have the BEST babysitter in the world for Jesse, who not only cares deeply for him but GET'S ME! 

That's important.....lol :)

Just Because: The Youngs

Ahhhh.....The Young Family.

So sweet and full of life.

We had a blast walking the beautiful trails of Island Lake Conservation Area. Basking in the warmth of probably the last summer like day we'll have until spring and of course taking in the spectacular fall colours.

Kelly, James, Kristen & Brandon are a family who enjoy the outdoors, the small pleasures in life, and being active. So to take their family portraits at this location were only appropriate to who they truly are as a family.

Of course their beloved Keisha came along too :)

My favourite image of Kristen. Such a pretty girl

And then there's Brandon. Who I wanted to bottle up and take home with me.

Doesn't he totally remind you of Macaulay Culkin?

Adorable :)

And well Mom & Dad....yeah they could hold their own

As we were getting near the end of the session we found this awesome spot with the most yummy light.

Kelly you are beautiful!

And well James, you aren't too shabby yourself :)

My favourite family shot

Kelly, James, Kristen, Brandon & Keisha...thank you for allowing me a small glimpse into your fabulous lives.

I left this session feeling like a beautiful friendship has begun :)

With Much Appreciation, Christa

Storyboards

For 2011 I'm working on packages specifically for families and maternity (along with all kinds of other goodness) and some will definitely include the 10x20 Standout Print Storyboard.

Can also be ordered in the Float wrap :)

For families

Maternity

Colours can be changed to match nursery

And I even added a wedding one!!

This one 10x30

Passion

I started going to a new dentist.

I love her, her assistants, the receptionist, everyone who works there.

When you enter there's a water wall, leather massage chairs, a childrens play area and a very modern but welcoming feel.

In each office you can watch re-runs of Everybody Loves Raymond or Friends while having your teeth cleaned or dental work done.
And what strikes you the most is everyone is happy and really seem like they're genuinely happy to be there.

It brings me back to the thought of passion.
What are you passionate about?
Food? Family? Teaching? Trees?
What is it that floats your boat?
Are you doing or at least pursuing to live life filled with the very things that you're passionate about?

When I realized my one of many passions (photography) and actively pursued it with gusto, it made me feel more fulfilled. I felt as if my life were given a second wind.

Regardless in what form I pursue it, currently as a business, I know it's something that will forever be a part of my life, in at least "some" form. For me that's a comforting feeling.

What's your passion? Are you chasing it with gusto?

And because life is too short to care, a super goofy photo Angie White took of me a couple of weeks ago....LOL

Tri-fold Christmas Cards

Playing around with the tri-fold Christmas Cards

I did a sample using the images from Tara, Jarvis, Tyler & Maggie's portrait session.

I think I'm in love :)

Did you do a session with me this year?

Interested in ordering some for you and your family?

Please email me before Oct 31st

Just For Her: Cynthia

She asked if I could include a couple quick "just for her" shots when I took photos of her daughter.
I said sure, I'd love too.
I knew she had been going through a lot and emotionally I knew she needed a pick me up.

I knew she needed to feel fabulous and beautiful.
I knew that if I did my best that a few photos of her would help her feel better. If only a little.....

I left the session thinking, I am "so" going to wow her.

After she see's her photos she going to be like, holy cow Christa you made me feel wonderful.

Well let's just say.....that didn't happen.

That the little bubble of a world that I was living in quickly popped.
When she saw her images she said, I like them but don't put them up anywhere.

Sigh....I let her down.

It was exactly what I didn't want to happen, I wanted her to see her photos and see the beauty that I see. 

See in the images the beautiful person she is on the inside and out.

See how fabulous of a woman she truly is.

Well Cynthia whether you believe it yourself or not....you are beautiful!

You are fabulous.

You are a real woman. With real beauty.

 May you always know that & never forget.

With Much Appreciation, Christa

With a Grateful Heart

With a grateful heart....Kristen I appreciate the husband and father that you've been, you are and still becoming.

With a grateful heart....Jesse I kiss your chubby cheeks and squeeze you too tight because you're growing up too fast.

It's with a grateful heart that I have a roof over my head, an abundance of food on my table and a loving circle of friends & family.

May your thanksgiving be filled with an appreciation of how lucky we truly are.

Happy Thanksgiving Friends :)

On Faith

I'm reading a book called Tribes by Seth Godin and last night I read this and just had to share.....

"Faith goes back a long way. Faith leads to hope, and it overcomes fear. Faith gave our ancestors the resilience they needed to deal with the mysteries of the (pre-science) world. Faith is the dividing line between humans and most species. We have faith that the sun will rise tomorrow, faith that Newton's laws will continue to govern the way a ball travels, and faith that our time in med school will pay off twenty years from now because society is still going to need doctors."

~Seth Godin

Not sure why this struck me so profoundly but it did.....sure is a reassuring quote though, isn't it?

Not sure who Seth Godin is, click on his name and check out his site & blog. I can guarantee in some way you will be inspired :)

Happy Friday

Belfountain Engagement Session: Tonya & Cliff

Real Couples. Real Love.

You may have seen those very words on an email from me, or a website, and now my blog.

My ideal client, couples that are down to earth with a genuine love that doesn't have to be shown with fake public displays of affection. But a real love that can be seen and felt just by being in their presence.

My latest engagement session with Tonya & Cliff showed me that they are that couple exactly!

I loved all the textures and colours throughout Belfountain Conservation Area

Yes you are fabulous!

Yummy light

Love :)

Rawr...Tonya you are fierce!

Yes, yes....you rock! :)

Just Because: Tonya, Cliff & Tristan

I adore this family!

Tonya has been a friend for quite a few years now. We met when our significant others were playing in a hockey tournament together.

Since then we've seen each other through many milestones in each others lives.

It was my pleasure & honour to take Tonya, Cliff & Tristan's family portraits at Belfountain.

Yes this is my FAVE!

Umm..can you say FAB-YOU-LHUS!?!?

Tristan you're too cute

I love fall :)

He, he...this makes me smile

Thank you guys so much! 

You are a family of good morals, laughter and fun.

You are much to be admired, and I do :)

Just Because; Tristan

It has become tradition to photograph my godson Tristan for his birthday every year. 

Unfortunately this year it was delayed until 'after' his birthday rather than before.

However better late than never because Tristan is cuter than ever :)

Happy 4th Little Buddy!!

And this is what 4 year old's do apparently...make faces! LOL

How old are you Tristan?!!?

FOUR!!!

Light was really low when I took this shot but I LOVE how he's posed so yeah I'm sharing anyway.

Here's to many more and an awesome tradition!