Cooper is One!

It's very strange, maybe even a little "crazy Momish," but before Cooper was even born last September, I had his first birthday photo totally planned out in head. Now that today was his first birthday, I was so excited to finally get these shots.

Cooper was so funny. I'm not sure if he really understood what was going on, but I really think he loved every moment of his big first birthday. He had dinner with his grandparents and great grandparents and Aunt. He ate cake made by his great aunt and other aunt. He was beyond spoiled by everyone and loved both the attention and the new toys he got.

It's a little bittersweet to see my baby turn into a toddler. He's so busy now and the last year was a blur because it went by so quickly. I'm excited for the next year. Still can't believe he's one!

The Bride and Me

I just finished editing the photos from Karen and Jason's amazing Gibson Centre wedding and I came across a photo I completely forgot about! I had to share it becuase I love that the Matron of Honour asked if she could take a photo of me and the Bride.

Karen is one of those Brides....no, one of those people, you instantly like. She's fun and bubbly....my kind of girl. And she was radiant with love, beauty and fun and happiness on her wedding day.

So, before I post photos from her wedding, here's one me and the gorgeous bride.

I'm on Etsy

For the last few weeks I've been looking at this amazing website for artists called Etsy. I never thought I could be a part of this community of artists who are selling their work. But after talking with an old friend ( and getting much encouragement from her), plus reviewing my post about my 2010 list....I took the leap.

I'm on Etsy. I have 2 photos I have listed right now, and I'm hoping to have more soon. It's really scary, but exciting too.

If you haven't checked out his amazing site yet, you definitely should. There are some incredibly talented photographers, artists, knitters, seamstresses, etc. There's literally everything on here. It's like Kempenfest on the net.

Check out Etsy.com and search me! Here's a shot that I have listed too. Fingers crossed.

The 2010 List

I've heard a lot of people talking lately about the "Bucket List." You know, a list of things you want to do before you die. While I have never put my list on paper, I have thought about it. There's always things you want to do before you die. For me, it's go on a Safari in Africa, learn how to wakeboard....things like that.

Recently, a very good friend of mine lost her father. I only met him once, at her wedding, but he was full of life. Full of love. Even though he didn't know him well, the news of his accident really hit me. Seeing her family grieve for him at wake made me look at life, and love as something so precious. Something that, at any moment, can be taken away.

The thing that people kept saying about this well-loved man was how he thought of others before himself. How he loved to live. How his family was his entire reason for living. Every photo of him was of this man with a huge smile that lit up his whole face. Although he was taken too soon, you could tell he left the world with no regrets.

You never know what's around the corner. That's why my bucket list is for the end of 2010. I hope I can live it well.

1. Travel. I thrive on travel!

2. Try a new type of cuisine.

3. Put one of my photos up for sale. I don't have to sell it, just have it up for others to look at.

4. Do something that Tobin wants to do.....even if I don't. That goes for playing Call of Duty....Yikes!

5. Play an entire round of golf without complaining or giving up.

6. Get over my self-consciousness when it comes to photography. (Believe it or not, I still feel like I'm not worthy)

7. Lose all the baby weight and then some (ok, totally shallow, but it's my list)

8. Get my parents together for a photo shoot of just them. I don't remember the last time they sat for a portrait. This might be tough because my Mom hates having her photo taken.

9. Do something I'm afraid of. Cliff diving, bungee jumping, get a tattoo. Any suggestions?

10. Run a 5K race. The whole thing, without stopping.

There you have it, the 2010 list. And just to make it interesting, here's a photo of Cooper who turns 4 months old tomorrow. He's adorable, I know.

Blogger....loving and hating it.

So, you probably noticed I haven't blogged in a long time. I've tried, believe me, I've tried. But Blogger and I are having some issues. See, Blogger is trying to make it difficult for me to post and upload photos. I don't think Blogger agrees with Windows 7, but Blogger really doesn't have a choice. But honestly, it won't let me upload photos....and that's really gets me mad!

Not to mention, we got a new Netbook. Blogger doesn't like it either. So, I'm back to our big computer, trying to blog again. Take that Blogger!

I hope to have some more photo shoots up on the Blog soon! And I promise, they won't all be of Cooper.....maybe just a couple!

I hope you are still reading the Blog...and believe me, I'm going to get this Blogger thing sorted out.


And just to make it interesting, here's a photo I took a year ago! Can you believe it??? Time sure does fly.

A New Year....and an Anniversary

It's been exactly one year since I launched this blog. WOW! Going through the photos of the year it really hit me how much has happened. I am so blessed to do what I love, with amazing, supportive people in my life. I have met so many new people who I am pleased to call friends now.

2009 saw some ups and downs. With the passing of Grandmother as a major set back, the birth of our son was something that has brought great joy into our lives.

2009 was a year of challenges as I pushed myself even further into photography and allowed me to see my true potential. I truly, truly love photography and how much fun it is.

But now I look ahead to 2010. With 8 new Brides and Grooms who are allowing me to be a part of their big days, expected new arrivals and favourite families.....I can't wait for this year to happen!

Happy New Year, and thank you so much for supporting me and encouraging me. Here are some highlights of the year that was.....but there were too many to choose from. These are just a few

2009 saw my sister and her husband get married.

Hey, it's Christmas....

I know, I post a lot of photos of Cooper. But can you blame me? He's so cute. And, hey, it's Christmas, so it's all about family.

In honour of Cooper's three month birthday (yes, I do a photo shoot every month...you would too), we took our socks off, put on white t-shirts and jeans and took our photos. Very cliche, but that's how we roll sometimes.

My little guy is definitely turning into a little ham in front of the camera. He definitely knows how to turn it on.

From our family to yours, have a safe and happy holiday week. Hope you get to take your socks off, enjoy some great food and drink and wonderful company with family and friends. We are very fortunate to have the best of those worlds with fantastic family and friends and a new little one who's about to experience his first Christmas...even though he won't remember any of it. But we will!

I absolutely love this shot.

Challenging Myself

It really hit me. It knocked me over like a ton of bricks. And I vowed I'd do something about it.

I was at a friend's house last weekend taking some family photos, when she pulled a gorgeous picture frame off the fireplace mantel. It was filled with photos of her little boy as a baby. These photos were beautiful! They were of him sleeping, with a blanket over his head, all kinds of candid, beautiful moments. I asked Jen, "did you have these taken?" To my surprise she said, no, I took them.

That's when it hit me. I don't have ANY pictures of Cooper just doing regular, everyday things. The things he's going to want to see when he looks back at photos of when he was a baby. Instead, all I have are the posed shots. Cooper in a pumpkin. Cooper in a Santa hat. What kind of mother am I? Jen pointed it out: not all shots have to be perfect. They just have to be of your child.

I'm challenging myself both as a new parent and as a photographer. These days I don't leave the house without my point and shoot. And I challenged myself tonight to capture my little guy as he slept. I didn't worry about perfection, creativity or even that much about lighting. I just wanted to capture him.

Jen, I owe you one! Maybe when Cooper is older, he won't hate me for putting him in the most embarrassing positions for the sake of a photo.

So, here's to imperfect photos, but perfect moments.

First, the photos that will be the reason for my kid needing therapy when he's older.

Precious moments that I finally captured.

He's Here!

He was nine days overdue, and the labour and delivery was...well, horrific. We spent 40 hours in the hospital being induced, but he still didn't want to come. Finally, by way of Caesarian Section, he came on September 22.

Here is Cooper Gregor Munro. He's my entire world right now, and pretty darn cute too. Just thought I'd introduce you.

And for anyone who's waiting patiently for when I'm back....stay tuned. It's very soon.

A Little Time Off

We are just days away until our little baby is due. That's scary! I know, we've been looking forward to this for over 9 months, but the fact that it's actually going to happen is kinda freaking me out...in a good way!

I've had the past three weeks off from my regular day job, and while the first two were both relaxing and productive, this past week has been excrutiating! I'm so bored! I'm not used to being so idle and watching tv all the time. I seriously could recite TLC's entire program schedule!

But while I'm sitting, waiting, wishing (cue Jack Johnson), I'm also thinking about photography. I can't wait to get back into it! But I have to take some time off. But when I'm back I'll snapping away with a baby by my side ( and hopefully with more energy than I've had in the past two months!).

So, I wanted to thank everyone for their support, kind words and encouragement....not only with photography, but with the baby too. This is the scariest thing I've ever done, but also the one thing I've been most excited about too. I promise, once this little guy and I are back on our feet, we're ready to start shooting again!

Now, I'm back to sitting on the couch, hoping this little one comes on time.....keep your fingers crossed!




I hate blank posts, so here's a shot from our recent maternity shoot with the amazing Stephan from http://enlightenedimages.ca

By Popular Demand

I keep getting asked to post belly pics on the internet. I have to admit, I originally didn't want to because I look at myself and think, wow, I really do not look good pregnant.

But after some thought I decided, as much as I complain about how uncomfortable I am, or how I think I look, you can't beat the fact that in 6 1/2 weeks there will be a little baby here that I am completely responsible for.....and couldn't love more. It's the most amazing feeling when the little guy moves around, and I love the look on Tobin's face when he feels it. It's pretty cool.

Our good friend, and photographer Stephan (he has taken every photo of us: engagement, wedding and now maternity) of http://enlightenedimages.ca took these photos of us and I am so grateful. He does amazing work!

I promised Tobin I wouldn't post it on facebook....but this isn't facebook!

Taking Chances

The other day I had the best conversation with my newest Bride Kimberlee who is getting married next August at the fabulous Tangle Creek Golf Course.

Not only did I make an immediate friend in this bubbly, happy bride-to-be, but I got the most incredible boost of confidence.....what she said to me put everything into context for me and made me incredibly humble.

Kimberlee had a hard time with another photographer who ridiculed her for not going with him and going with a photographer with less experience. She said she was following her gut when she hired me for the wedding....and that when she got out of college people took a chance on her so she was taking a chance on me.

Bam! No one ever put it like that before. I'm following my heart and doing what I'm absolutely in love with doing, but I never thought about it like that: people are giving me a chance.

For all the Brides, Grooms, families and little babies who allowed me to take your photos over the past two and a half years, please know it is an HONOUR. Thank you for taking a chance on me. And for my photography mentors, a huge thank you goes out to you: http://rowellphoto.com/ , http://enlightenedimages.ca/ ,

Thank you for teaching me, coaching me and helping this little girl out with big dreams.

And Kimberlee!!!! You're wedding is going to ROCK! I promise you that.

Into the Wild

I can't tell you the first time this idea popped into my mind: wouldn't it be a good idea to photograph animal's fur and hang it in my home? Seriously, who thinks that? Secondly, who goes to the zoo with a zoom lens on her camera and really only gets shots of the animals' fur?

That weirdo would be me. I wanted these shots in my house so badly. Now that our baby's nursery is in a jungle theme, I thought it would be cool to put them on canvas and hang them. That's my thought....Tobin's could be entire different!

My gracious friends at the Elmvale Jungle Zoo allowed me to snap at my leisure as kids and parents ran around me. I loved it!

Not only did I get the shots I needed, but I was able to see some pretty amazing animals who all look so content and happy.

Here are a few shots, and most of them I played around with photoshop to see what kind of effect I could get.

Jaguar