Just Because: Dave and Melissa + kids

Whew! These are l-a-t-e!

I took these pictures back in December when Melissa sent me a message asking about family pictures for their Christmas cards. I said "no problem!" but I was freaking out a little, thinking "Christmas cards? How do I take family pictures for Christmas cards?!"

Weird. I know.

A lot of my clients use their family pictures for Christmas cards and I'm pretty sure that registers in my brain when I'm taking the pictures, but this time around my brain had a meltdown or something and I got all panicky. I tried thinking of some extra cute Christmassy stuff to add in and though those things went well enough, things went better when I switched gears back to "me". Normal me. Where I direct a little and let things happen and catch the fun moments.

Just Because: Kevin and Jocelyn + kids

I'm sitting here trying desperately to remember when these photos were taken. It's just not coming to me. I don't know why it matters anyway. Sometime in October? Early November? No clue. They were taken. That's what matters. And here they are for you to see!

Once we arrived at our location, someone noticed that someone else was wearing the "wrong" jacket. Said "someone else" had to then return home and find the proper one - which took longer than anticipated because it had been put away for the season. Once "someone else" returned with the correct jacket, the baby decided he'd had enough and that was the end of that. But we managed to get some good ones! (Of course!) Easy enough to do with this group. (I think the last one is my most favorite!)

Just Because: Jason and Debra + girls

These pictures were taken on Thanksgiving (just to clarify for my American readers - Canadian Thanksgiving). It was a little chilly, but the lighting was great! We used their backyard which was perfect - wouldn't you like a forest in your backyard? I would!

In addition to family pictures, they wanted some pictures that would be suitable as replacements for the girls' school pictures. So one at a time, each of the girls ran out into the yard with me - no jacket - and I quickly snapped a few pictures before their smiles froze. Then they had to do it all over again for the family pictures. They were troopers. All of them:) Fun and easy to work with... what more can I ask for? Thanks, guys!

Here's a few of my favorites.

This one was taken especially for the one making the rabbit ears - love it:

Aren't they sweet?

Just Because: Kevin and Jenn + kids

I'm way behind in my posts here, and I'm going to start somewhere in the middle with Kevin and Jenn. We had a lovely day for pictures and we made the most of our time together with Jenn directing where to go and Kevin making sure we got there. Although the kids know me, I don't think they like me with a camera. They were a little unsure, but they gave me some beautiful smiles!
Here's a few of my favorites:

Previews

I know.
I've been absent. (I've missed you, too.)
I won't bore you with excuses - we'll just skip right to the show. And maybe in a little while I'll have more to show you.

Just Because: Roger and Colleen + kids

I had the pleasure of spending some time with this lovely family the other evening. Just a little bit of time - the kids don't have a lot left to give at the end of the day:)

I love it when I get to have some say in the where and when of picture taking. Roger and Colleen were gracious enough to allow me to plan the shoot to my specifications, even though I'm not the one with a hungry four month old and a two year old nearing bedtime. Thankfully, the kids were into it too.

I think it went rather well, don't you?

Just Because: Chris and Erin

So I've been sitting on this one for a while (not quite two weeks) and though I've only chosen 4 of my favorites so far, I figured I'd better hurry up and post them because they've both been asking where they are.

Chris and Erin are two of my favorite people and I never tire of spending time with them. They're such beautiful people - easy to be with, easy to photograph - and they complement each other so well. They made my job really easy.

Erin has always been an expressive person, using her arms and hands and every part of her face as well as words to tell you how she's feeling and I love that about her. Chris tends to keep things to himself a little more. But the other night I saw it on his face: his love for Erin - full and strong and sure. I loved it. I hope you'll both always recognize that look from the other.

Just Because: Klassen Family

The Klassens were looking for some family pictures, something fun and relaxed. Of course, I was happy to oblige - fun and relaxed is just the way I like them! So, before Christmas, we all headed out to a tree farm to document their tree picking. (It just so happens that we're good friends with the Klassens, so Jonny and the boys came along, too.) The weather was quite nice and so we went on the sleigh ride, played in the hay fort, checked out the animals and finally, they picked out a tree. It was a lot of fun! Maybe we'll make it a yearly event. ;)
Here are some of my favorites:










Sweet little Georgia's coat had this patch on it: