Four people in January

Okay so I promised I would blog more…ummm… it will happen.  But one of the things I realized in the fall was that I was missing my kids and my family.  So I have really stepped away from technology this year.  Last year I was on my laptop every day.  This year, I am only on a few times a week.  It means that I am often missing out on the photography forums that I was a part of, or the editing and crafty creating I used to do.  But also means I am more present with my kids.  I have a come to realize that I don’t need to be all things – a good wife, good mother, good photographer, good IDP consultant, good blogger – I just need to be… Just Be.  So that is what I am trying to do.  Just be happy with the way things are… just be a mom some days… just be present with my kids… just be a good listener to my husband… just be appreciative of the many blessings in my life.  And sometimes just be still.  So there are days when lots of things don’t get done – but I will be happy with what is accomplished and what I can be that day.

My other goal for this year is to be a part of the photographic memories Ii am creating for my children.  In 2011 I tried to do a family photo of us every month.  I got to August and then it fizzled out.  But this year I want to commit to those 12 pictures.  It’s just 12 pictures.  I can do it.  In fact I encourage everyone to do it.  If you are looking for a photography goal try this one – take a photo of you and your family once a month.  It doesn’t have to be perfect.  It doesn’t even have to be with your fancy DSLR – it can be with your phone.  The important thing is to get in the shot. At the end of the year you will have 12 photos that you will cherish.

Here is my family in January:

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And because I adore this photo that my husband managed to get while I carried our tired and grumpy three year old – here’s one more from January that is very special to my heart.

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Happy New Year!

It has been a whirlwind of an end to 2013… so unfortunately I let go of the blogging for while.  But one of my goals for 2014 is to blog more.  So with that I bid you a Happy New Year from my family to yours – see you in 2014!

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My nephew Brayden | Victoria Newborn Photographer

So I have come to realize that I am a really bad blogger.  I write posts in my head all the time and photograph with posts in mind sometimes.  But then finding time to actually get things on this site is a whole other story.  My poor 365 is slightly totally behind too.  I still shoot everyday, but haven’t edited and posted.  Eek!  We have been a busy family.  Plus I decided to take some more photography classes, plus I got a new nephew, and my sister got married, and we went on vacation… LIFE IS BUSY!

So I’ve decided to just restart, and what better way to do that then to do a post of my adorable nephew.  My three year old calls him “his baby”.

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I love this little boy! And I’m totally his favorite aunt!

Silas and Lila | Victoria BC Photographer

One of my son’s best buddies is Silas who was born on a week before Liam.  Silas and Liam don’t get to see each other very often, but when they do get together they are a barrel of laughs.  I recently did a Spring photo session for Silas and his little sister Lila to celebrate their birthdays… Lila’s first and Silas’ third.  We had a very fun time at the park, complete with a little BBQ picnic.  Thanks for the fun day Silas and Lila!  Liam was happy to see you again too!


Kristy and Jeff your gallery can be seen here.

 

Lighting 201

I recently completed a course on Mastering Natural Lighting Indoors with Clickin Moms University.  I love the Clickin Moms forum, and really enjoyed this class.  I learned some great ways of shooting in tricky lighting situations – such as our gloomy and dark Victoria days.  Here are a few of the images that I captured as assignments for the class.

Huge thanks to my boys for being so cooperative in being my practice subjects!

 

Those eyes!

This weekend we are celebrating Family Day here in BC.  So we are trying to spend lots of quality family time together.  Today we spent the afternoon at Fort Rodd Hill running around the grounds. I snapped a few photos of the boys.  This one captivates me.  He has the most incredible eyes. (And if you look closely you can see me reflected in them!)