The S Family

Last weekend I had the chance to spend part of an afternoon with the S family. The girls have grown so much since our photo shoot last year! They are so much fun to chat with, they have these great personalities and of course too cute for words. Trying to get photos of them on their own is tricky as they like to be together all the time. I can't wait to see how their relationship grows over the years. On this day we lucked out and the rain stopped just in time for our afternoon at the park and I am so excited to share a few of the great shots from that day.

Fun Fall Afternoon With The Gatzke's

This family holds a special place in my heart. We are connected through school, skating and even piano lessons. But more than that, L is a friend that I can count on anytime and anywhere, she is such an advocate and supporter for kids, and her enthusiasm in the bleachers of the skating arena is unmatched. (She even has a trophy to prove it!) I've been taking photos for the Gatzke's for three years and I feel so blessed to be able to document their growth and connection as a family. This year's shoot was another opportunity to laugh, play and my first assignment with my new camera. Thanks again for allowing me to document your beautiful family.

Fall Photos with the T. Family

I have known this family for many years, since our kids were babies in fact! Though I don't see them on a regular basis, they are that kind of family you just pick up right where you left off. We had such an amazing evening for photos; perfect light, laughing about the Beverly Hillbillies, Flintsones and the Love Boat created a relaxed kind of mood that lent itself to some really amazing images. I believe these photos really capture the love and togetherness that this family is all about!

More Relay for Life

Leduc Relay for Life continued...

I am so thankful for these images, and those of Christine and Tawny. They help me to relive the Leduc Relay for Life. Though this proves to be a painful experience sometimes, I am thankful for these visual reminders. I know I am not alone in the fact that walking those many miles, shedding countless tears, consoling those with broken hearts and capturing moments of true emotion I will never be the same person. I will continue to post pictures as I work through them, each time I sit down to edit, different pictures tug at my heart strings, trigger a memory and I am just going with that approach. Editing pictures more for their emotional content than for perfect composition and creativity. Enjoy the images here and if you would like to purchase please contact the Leduc Relay for Life through Deanna Carruthers leduc.relayforlife@cancer.ab.ca All photos posted here have copyright retained by the Canadian Cancer Society. All proceeds from sales of these and photos by Tawny Robertson and Christine Hopaluk will go to support Leduc Relay for Life.

Leduc Relay for Life continued

This one's personal.

I love the fact that they're holding hands...

so thankful that these young people are walking the survivor's lap! stillbreaks my hear that they've had to endure treatments, pain, and the fear that goes along with cancer.

Tawny and Al at Leduc's Relay for Life!

As I look more closely at many of the photos taken on Friday night, I am taken back to many moments. Some that choked me up, some that nearly brought me to my knees, and some that truly made my heart smile. Both Tawny and I were completely smitten with one survivor Al. He was insistent of having his photo taken by his mother's luminary and we were both a bit worried (as was his caregiver) as its location was on a slight side hill. The fact that Tawny and I were sure to get more than one photo for him, obviously made an impact. On Sunday, I was at friend's house for her daughter's first communion celebration. Our host, Ann happens to provide care for individuals as a nurse's aid. Well, she was at Al's place on Saturday and he remembered our names and the fact that we were lying down on the sidewalk to get the perfect shot. I can't wait for Ann to deliver these photos to Al. One very special survivor!

Leduc Relay for Life

As I rush out the door, I wanted to post a few photos from Leduc's Relay for Life. There are more to come, hopefully I will get to them later today or tonight. What an amazing event, I was so proud to be part of such a successful fundraiser and an evening of inspiriation, courage and hope! All copyrights to these photos are owned by Leduc Relay for Life. Proceeds of the sales of these photos will go to Leduc Relay for Life.

Baby M becomes big boy M!

I really cannot believe it has been almost one year since I did newborn photos of this big bundle of boy. Where does the time go? This little (using that term loosely) guy is so sweet and such a happy kid. I'm so thankful to have the O family living so close by, I get to document their growth as a family!

Chloe's Grad 2011

I can hardly believe that my "little cousin" Chloe graduates this year. I was so happy to be able to take photos of her an some of her friends up at the Alberta Legislature Grounds on Saturday. There were hundreds of graduates milling about and I was wondering where we were going to find our "spots" I was able to find some secluded spots and had a great time shooting Chloe and her oh so beautiful friends. Wow...what a bunch of stunners!

More Pics of Baby B

Baby B

Was so excited to take these photos the other day. What a good baby and what an amazing mom. She is mom to three boys and just taking it in stride! Out and about for park playdates like it "no big deal" I remember having a newborn...and to me, it was big deal! Wow, I am so impressed and so happy to share some special shots from the other day...