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01.02.2013

Balance in 2013

It’s interesting how a new year can bring clarity – there is something refreshing about it that other times of the year don’t afford. So in that regard, it’s kind of special.

I’m not really one to make resolutions but there have been a number of things that have been building over the past year that I would like to change including:

  • getting to bed before midnight, preferably an hour or two earlier,
  • not looking at my iPhone right before I go to sleep,
  • maintaining a schedule for my personal life that doesn’t include business tasks,
  • exercising 3 to 4 times a week because goodness knows I could really use it,
  • getting outside into the mountains more regularly because I always crave it and,
  • finding a better balance between all of the other stuff that goes on in day to day living.

No biggie.

I’m determined to make this work because I really need it to. I’m sure that I’ll fail at some things but I am also confident that there will be successes too. And looking back on this list, it kind of does look like New Year’s resolutions, but they aren’t. Honest! It’s just things that have been growing over time that can no longer be ignored……and it also just happens to be a new year. Coincidence!

I know I’m not the only one out there with much needed changes on the horizon. Care to share? Don’t be shy! Leave your thoughts in the comments below!

 

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Nicole - Deep breath:

I am writing this on the internet so it’s set in stone.

I think the big thing for photographers is that we don’t have boundaries. We love what we do and we don’t want to stop for breaks…

We answer emails at all hours before a potential client moves on to the next photographer, take calls and texts from clients when we are with our families… Maybe we don’t have work days. We just work all the time!

However, I became a photographer so I’d have a more flexible schedule with family and friends…
It seems my off time is spent working, my leisure time is spent thinking about work.
So hold me accountable:

I forgot I was playful. So I need to have more fun.

A stressed out mum is not part of my personal brand ;) I need yoga and time for prayer everyday.

My goals for the new year is to start exercising…I used to work out regularly before children but since I had children my free time is spent working.

I need time to be with my friends too.

Oh and I need to eat healthy. Not drink copious amounts of coffee so I can work late…or dream about working! :)

Oh and I need to make EVERY session count because that’s time away from my family. Time I’ll never get back. So, I must not be everything to everybody and only take on the work that is in my speciality.

Keep a positive and happy attitude no matter what.

Always have time for love- cuddle, hug, and kiss our special people like there’s no tomorrow.

Damara Natenhorst - Rose…this completely resonates with me. Balance is my #1 goal this year because life is so out of whack…wonderfully so…but overwhelming. I think my struggle will be creating routines for myself and being all right existing within those and letting things that don’t fit into the timeframe…just not be done.

01.01.2013

Just Be

Taking a self-portrait is hard. Really hard. But in the few moments I had this afternoon in between random business tasks and supper, I thought I’d give it a try.

I’m not really sure why I was inspired to do it….but I think it has something to do with missing my camera. I really need to start keeping my camera by the side of my desk again or in my Epiphane bag for outings. It is nice, however, at the end of a busy season, to take a break, let the creative juices recharge and just be.

 

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Brenda - Beautiful!

12.31.2012

Goodbye 2012

Another year! It’s been a full one that’s for sure – it’s hard juggling a full-time job, my photography business and my family but it’s all one more step that brings me closer to seeing my dream become a reality.

I want to personally thank all the couples, families and vendors I have worked with along the way this year – none of this would be possible if it weren’t for your support and kindness! I hope that this New Year will bring you all challenges to grow from, hugs that make you smile and rest to renew your soul.

So long 2012 and hello 2013!

All the best!

 

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12.28.2012

Cozy Bookworm


Model: Michelle Cyr
Hair and Makeup: Meenu Gill
Location: Film2Frame
Sweater: Granted Clothing
Props: Antique Market and photographer’s own
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Here is part two from my studio shoot at Film2Frame last weekend. I wanted to do a bit of a lifestyle beauty shoot with a bookworm twist and keep it very natural.

In my online travels, I found a wonderful company local to Vancouver called Granted Clothing and they make these awesome Cowichan-inspired sweaters. I always love working with and meeting artisans local to the Lower Mainland so this was a really neat opportunity to work with Granted. I thought it was a perfect fit for my concept and all the colours just came together beautifully. If you like chunky, incredibly warm and cozy, well-made sweaters, I would highly recommend checking them out.

And now I am feeling the draw of cozying up with my own coffee, so cheers on this cloudy last-Friday-in-2012!

Enjoy!

 

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12.26.2012

White

Model: Michelle Cyr
Hair/Makeup: Meenu Gill
Location: Film2Frame

…………………………………………………..

Sometimes it can be a process of elimination to determine where your strengths lie and what you are truly passionate about. I learned some new things the other day during a simple shoot that I arranged for some off-season fun.

I am not a studio photographer.

This shoot comes in two parts (part two will be forthcoming) but the first part was shot in a studio setting with lighting and a white backdrop. I wanted to try something different, a little out of my comfort zone, well, actually, a LOT. Jeff, who works at Film2Frame showed me a simple studio setup that he uses and it’s what I used to shoot this series of Michelle. I love the minimalistic look of a white backdrop and the use of studio lighting will always create a very predictable outcome but the whole time, I felt so confined. Confined to a predictable lighting scenario (granted you can change this, but it’s not a natural occurrence like the sun suddenly dipping behind the clouds) and confined by location. I do strongly believe that learning lighting skills is critical, for broadening scope and understanding but nothing can replace the rush of a moment when you get a beam of golden sun in between rain showers. It is so fleeting, a moment that cannot really be anticipated but only lived out when it presents itself. And sometimes, this is where magic happens.

I keep seeing these gorgeous beauty shoots of women in fantastical makeup or just a very simple, clean look – the lighting is superb, the expressions are captivating and I think to myself, “I want to do that!” But then I see videos like this and realize that this sort of shooting is really not who I am. While I can appreciate the work that goes into something like that, I just can’t fit myself into that box. I just don’t feel comfortable with the fact that these women’s bodies are being changed to fit an “acceptable” concept of what beauty is, I don’t feel comfortable with the contrived nature of shooting in a studio. It’s just not real life. I far prefer living in a space where reality is the main feature of the shoot. And that is why I have chosen to focus on weddings at the moment.

That being said, it is fun to do something different and be challenged in different ways – it’s the only way to grow. A big thank you to my crew for the day – my lovely model Michelle, hair and makeup by Meenu and for Jeff’s help at the studio location.

Enjoy and stay tuned for part two, which is very different!

 

 

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