Stock Photography

Once again, my brother furnishes better links....but I've been gone all day! No time to surf. Must snag the good stuff from someone else. Thanks, Jeff!

Stock Photography Cliches

I'm not sure exactly why I found stock photography cliches so darn funny. Maybe it's because anyone's agoraphobic aunt and her undersized lap-puppy could do 'stock' photography without ever leaving her basement. Stock pic's ARE cliches! They are seldom the incisive glimpse of exactly what clients want, and anyone can do it. As a matter of fact, the better you are at sitting around just thinking of cornball cliches, the better your chance of churning out stock photo's.
That's just the loony 'concept photographer' in me talking. I'm done my rant. Promise.

Better Photos - Actors in Character
I love this one! It's so cool to give clients little 'situations' to react to. It can't be done with everyone, but it's totally fun and creative.

This one is neat too: Through the Looking Glass - the view out your front window.
I like this! If you send me the view from your window, I'll make a slide show out of them.

Goodbyes

For the last Year and a half, Morley has lived in Alberta as part of his work. His family is back in Ontario, and even though he's been back there they've come out here, I think he's ready to be home now that his contract here is finished. We got to know Morley through the Central Alberta Mountain Club on hikes and at meetings. He is one of those people who just makes friends everywhere, and is an incredibley avid hiker. Steve Irwin and his wife Sandy(of the scrambling club, possibly the Ramblers, and also our Mountain club) held a goodbye party for Morley last night. It was absolutely lovely, and the way Sandy brings out the food, I might never have left, except that I'm tired & old. They had the Oilers/Annaheim game on - that made Mr. Me very happy.
I forgot to take my camera, but I do have one incriminating photo of Morely from the 2005 Turkey Trek, where the theme was 'Prince & Princess'. Photo by club member Tyson Hornett.
We'll miss you, Morley! You'll always be a Princess to us.

I have the COOLEST clients. Ever.

Just look at what hard work and dedication can get you. Kickass abs, legs, arms...you name it. That is worth celebrating! Janet Hardy has a full, fun life. Her family is awesome, she's one of the owners of Hot Pot Studio, and she's a fitness icon.
I am SO totally lucky to have amazing clients like her; not only to photograph, but to be inspired by.
Today she was in choosing some images for a magazine submission. I hope they pick her images, because she works hard; I figure she's earned a little magazine space.

Dad & Baby

multifarious day

Today was an odd, fun, quiet, stormy, happy day. In reverse order - 24 - One of so very few t.v. shows I actually make a point of watching. It's SO good. I actually get all nervous & freaked out there is so much tension and action. President Logan SO deserved what he got, but the Chinese Government got Jack! (Bad news, if you don't follow the show)

I saw a kid on his bike ride out into traffic at 67th & Gaetz and get hit by a car. Freaky! He might have been 14, and whipped across moving traffic like the road was deserted. The poor guy who hit him seemed genuinely concerned, although even after going RIGHT over his handle bars, the boy hopped up just as fast, scratched, but not badly hurt.

Engagement Session with Nicole & Orrin - AWESOME! Happiness is beautiful, and this couple is happy! They brought their horses and the weather cooperated. A bird pooped on me when I wasn't looking. That has never happened to me before...I'm just going to go ahead and consider that to be good luck. (click link above for slideshow)

Shopping - The garden centre at Home Depot is SO picked over. My own fault for not getting there sooner. There were just a few things there that will work with my bizzare little garden areas that the neighbourhood rabbit will not also eat. Pier One has irresistable candles that I use in my studio. Had to go! Winners had some sandals calling my name...you know how it is!
Starbucks never stops whipering in my ear, so of course there was a quick stop there.

Editing- what can I say...there is just a lot of editing and orders from last weeks sessions.

I got up this morning to run, eat & clean up before an appointment that didn't show. I have so few pet peeves. Things don't really bother me, unless it's being stood up. Jessica from Nova Scotia wants to learn from a photographer how to be a photographer. Hopefully she can find one without such a sore spot for being stood up. I'm just such a pouty pants.

Lenelle & Darryl - Already on the Honeymoon!

Cori & Liam

chock full!

Days are a bit full right now. Today was a welcome slower day with a jerky start.
I was having a terribly bizarre dream in which I was freaking out about some ring I had on my hand that was mine in the dream but not in real life, but I didn't know (in the dream) how it had gotten onto my finger. Why this would freak me out, I have no idea. Sure, it was a giant ruby that had been my Granny's (again, not in real life) but who in tarnation is goes pie-eyed banannas over Rubies??? Then something extra freaky ( in real life!) happened - my husband said, "What time's your party?"
He calls everything I do a party. Lunch=party, meeting=party, workout or run=party.
This morning, however, 'party' meant the Chamber Mentoring Breakfast at the North Hill Inn that was to start at 7am. I went from kooky dream to utter panic and ROCKETED out of bed like a flesh explosion, looked at the clock so that I could do a little more freaking out - it was 6:35. Instant consciousness!A lift of the arm told me there was NO skipping the shower, and I was stuck with wet hair in a french braid. I was about 10 minutes late, plenty of breakfast and awesome coffee left. Being a coffee junkie, they could have been out of decent breakfast items so long as yummy, strong coffee is on offer.
After breakfast I called Kevin (Mr. Me!) at work to make sure he got the kids to school ok. Our eldest daughter rode her bike and the other two got a ride. It was his job to make sure little #1 actually arrived at school. Of course, I shelter them something horrible, so this 'riding a bike to school' thing one of many "let GO already!" moments for me.
I stopped in to see Mr. Me at work and took him a muffin and coffee from Tim's. (I'm such a nice wife!)
Then I came home, changed for my run, and hit the perimiter trail at Riverbend, where my Garmin 301 decided that it was OUT of battery power. What. a. bummer.
After my run, I came home & mowed the lawn...after the embarassing 'non starting lawn mower' routine. I feel like a total nitwit yanking on that cord again & again. I didn't flood it....maybe it was the long winter?
I enjoyed my slack day today...tomorrow is another totally packed day.
What's packed for me? Anything without a half hour break between appoinments.
9-take in my framing jobs
9:30 - talk to Cannon rep about printer - sorry buddy, I probably won't buy whatever it is.
10:30 - Maternity session
11:45 - go to sign place to get new logo on the back of the van.
- find 10 minutes in there to get postage for mothers day photos - they're here already and set to send!
1:30 - Family from tuesday in for previewing
3:10 - get kiddos from school
4:30 at a rural acreage 40 minutes out of town that I've never been to - Shoot Wedding!
Somewhere around 10 pm I totally reserve the right to fall down into a coma, and Saturday morning I plan on sleeping in. The good news is that if I get the coffee ready to go the night before, my 11 year old will bring it to me in bed! How cool is that?
Now that's a WAY better way to wake up.

Mother's Day at the Capri

What a busy place! Super day shooting Mom's & Famlies during the brunch. I was really happy to see clients & friends come over for pictures too!
My assistant Cheryl handled everything very well. Thanks Cheryl. You Rock!
Slideshow of the families who said I could use their images. You were all wonderful. Thank you!

Happy Feet!

Cara Liddel makes even my funny, chubby feet SING.

They're scrubbed & soft, and the toenails are happy again. Multicoloured, of course.

She's giving away a special treat to a lucky winner on Sunday during the brunch & mini portrait sessions at the Capri. Enter to win!!!

perception

My seven year old picked me these dandilions. I don't normally like them, but she picked them with her own sweet little hands and tied them with long grass. What could be more beautiful?