I’ve struggled long and hard with the idea of putting this in words, knowing in my heart that some may object, where others will accept it. The journey I am about to share with you has pushed me through a range of emotions, from hope, joy, love, to hurt, pain, loss and sadness. I have finally accepted it for what it is and know this is the reason why I do what I love. No other profession could possibly give me what I take away with me from every photography session! My journey begins approximately 2 months ago….
Around 1:30 pm in the afternoon, while sitting in the office editing I received an email asking me to call a client as soon as possible! Something told me not to put that call off. I grabbed the phone and placed the call that would forever alter my life, both personally and professionally! The phone only rang a couple of times, the voice on the other end was different then most calls that I make with my work. I could hear, pain, upset and the unknowing in the voice. The voice asked if I would do a favor for them. As soon as I heard what was going on, I did not hesitate. I instantly knew in my heart I could not say no. I asked that they set up a time and place that would work for them and agreed to the shoot! Several days later I jumped on my bike and rode down to the pre-arranged location.. Apprehension and nerves filled me. This was no ordinary shoot! I knew what I captured that day would forever remain in the photo albums and hearts of this particular family, for you see the lady of the family had cancer. Her prognosis was not good. I did not know how I would be received at this point. Once we met up my worries and fears were quickly pushed aside by the warmth, love and caring of everyone! This wonderful lady has come into my life for a reason. I was needed and that was made more and more clear to me with every click of the shutter! She never complained , always had a smile and was full of life! I left that session filled with every emotion you could think of! On the way home I was stopped by a deer in the middle of the path, most deer will take off right away, this one didn’t, she moved about 2 feet away from me and watched quietly. Almost as if she was saying thank you. Once I arrived back in the office I sat down, and started crying.. I can’t tell you exactly why but I cried for a good 20 mins. Over run with emotion I began editing knowing from our conversations that day that I needed to get this images done up quickly but to the best of my ability.
Once the images were done I thought “ok I’ve done what I can for them” … god was not done yet. A few days later I received another email asking if I would photograph a special family evening for them. Again I did not hesitate! I knew in my heart I had to do everything I could for them! A week later I met with the family and spent a wonderful evening with them, getting to know everyone and enjoying what I was doing. The evening ended on a high note when the Mom hugged me and said “ welcome to the family!” Well I can tell you this again brought me to tears! I felt such a deep emotional connection with this amazing family! I had been accepted just as if I had known everyone for years! This amazing lady was so full of warmth and acceptance!
Several weeks later I stopped in to deliver the second package. I could tell she wasn’t doing all that well. We sat and chatted while she had a cup of tea. To my amazement I was invited to spend part of Christmas eve with the family. Hugging this beautiful soul I promised to be back Christmas eve!
Little did I know that would be the last night I saw her .. They truly have touched apart of me that I wasn’t expecting. I had grown attached and had become friends with my client. She accepted me, and always had a smile on her face, no matter how bad she felt. She in her own way reminded me that I do far more than just take pictures, I capture memories, memories that may fade from the mind but will always be on paper and in the heart!!! I am so touched and amazed that I was brought into their lifes and was able to do this small gesture for them!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Monday, July 18, 2011
Sheer Insanity Race Team Calendar Shoot
I know its been a few weeks since I've posted on here, but here's why! Its been a very hectic and amazing couple weeks! Several months ago Kathy Wills came to me and asked if I would be willing to photograph a calendar shoot for the Team. Knowing that proceeds will be going to " The Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation" I jumped on the chance, lets face it anytime I'm able to work with the trucks I'm thrilled! However this one has a special meaning for me, as cancer has touched my family! After months of prep, meetings, discussions and hard work we were finally ready to shoot the calendar images.
The day started out promising to be a hot one! We arrived shortly after 1 pm with as slight breeze, a wisp of cloud and sun as far as the eye could see! The fields and coulee's were amazingly green and rolling! Kathy greeted us with a hug and a huge smile. She of course looked gorgeous as always! My team and I started unloading and moved everything into the "Media area" A wonderfully cool and quiet place where we could take a few mins reprieve from the heat of the day!
Once we were set up we, found Kathy and sat on the deck for a last min discussion and planning session! Then it was time to groom the animals, and set up the trucks. My assistant/back upshooter had the task of photographing all the outtakes of the day! I have to say Jen did a amazing job! her images are top knotch and exactly what I was looking for. Here's an image of Jen getting to know Shooter... one of the fur-babies that would be modelling. Let me tell you he is one heck of a horse!
Once everything was set up and everyone arrived it was time to start! Throughout the day we had over 40 sponsors and friends of the Sheer Insanity team with us! I met so many fantastic people that day! All of whom excepted me and gave me some great laughs. Here's a shot of the first set of the day
I made a new friend during the day ..Little Katyln at the tender age of 2 was afraid of the trucks after they had been running. We were attempting to get her to pose with mom and dad and the trucks but she wanted nothing to do with it! She for some reason took to me like candy so we ended up having my assistant ( jen of J.M photography) take the shot with me holding little one and standing beside mom and dad! Little katyln and i spent alot of time together that day!
Once all the sponsor images were done it was time to move the trucks.. an oppurtunity for me to grab a drink and dump the cards. I had a serious case of missing drinks throughout the day lol.. Turns out my daughter was drinking them as I would hand them to her to hold for me.. gotta love kids huh? Once the second set was done, It was time for some much needed Dinner. It was approximately 7:30 by this point. I wish i had taken a snapshot of the spread that was provided for us! Amazing food, good company and a ton of laughs!!! I was happy to sit for a few mins and rest my weary feet lol. Other than Jen my team had dissapeared out of the blistering heat long ago.
Third set of the day, thats Kathy lining up TNT for me
After Dinner things has started to cool down, the boys were done playing with snakes and I had cooled off enough to get back at it. Remember Jen was along side me the entire time without a complaint! Thanks girl! I started to round up those who would be modelling into the evening session! Kathy went and rounded up the boys ( Beau and Shooter the amazing horses) as well as her mum and Cody and Shadow ( her beautiful boys ..pups). We all headed into the field and began work again. We worked with Kathy and her mom and Ged first and then It was time for the big boys.. Beau and shooter. Shooter is quite the boy! When i didn't want him in the shot he waltzed right in and stood in the middle of the set...
Phew are you getting tired keeping up with the events of the day? I know i am lol. Ok now it was time to work strictly with Kathy Wills! This was a rare oppurtunity for Kathy to model with her truck! Normally the only time TNT is 'tired up" is when they are doing shows.. and with show schedules there is no time to pose with the truck! Oh my goodness can we say laughter! We had so much fun! Kathy was cussing me out the entire time but laughing at the same time! Huge Kudo's to Kathy girl! It was HOT, uncomfortable and she still managed to pull off some beautiful shots! Here's a pull back of the session with Kathy
Once we all done with Kathy's part of the shoot I sent her back up to the house and started to wait! Jen stuck with me. We were the only ones in the field at this point.Everyone was up at the house relaxing after a long days work... I still had not seen a member of my team for some time at this point! Traitors.. lol just kidding... it was very hot out i can't blame them for hiding inside. here's what i was patiently waiting for in the field.. All I can say is what a way to end the day!!
The day started out promising to be a hot one! We arrived shortly after 1 pm with as slight breeze, a wisp of cloud and sun as far as the eye could see! The fields and coulee's were amazingly green and rolling! Kathy greeted us with a hug and a huge smile. She of course looked gorgeous as always! My team and I started unloading and moved everything into the "Media area" A wonderfully cool and quiet place where we could take a few mins reprieve from the heat of the day!
Once we were set up we, found Kathy and sat on the deck for a last min discussion and planning session! Then it was time to groom the animals, and set up the trucks. My assistant/back upshooter had the task of photographing all the outtakes of the day! I have to say Jen did a amazing job! her images are top knotch and exactly what I was looking for. Here's an image of Jen getting to know Shooter... one of the fur-babies that would be modelling. Let me tell you he is one heck of a horse!
Once everything was set up and everyone arrived it was time to start! Throughout the day we had over 40 sponsors and friends of the Sheer Insanity team with us! I met so many fantastic people that day! All of whom excepted me and gave me some great laughs. Here's a shot of the first set of the day
I made a new friend during the day ..Little Katyln at the tender age of 2 was afraid of the trucks after they had been running. We were attempting to get her to pose with mom and dad and the trucks but she wanted nothing to do with it! She for some reason took to me like candy so we ended up having my assistant ( jen of J.M photography) take the shot with me holding little one and standing beside mom and dad! Little katyln and i spent alot of time together that day!
Once all the sponsor images were done it was time to move the trucks.. an oppurtunity for me to grab a drink and dump the cards. I had a serious case of missing drinks throughout the day lol.. Turns out my daughter was drinking them as I would hand them to her to hold for me.. gotta love kids huh? Once the second set was done, It was time for some much needed Dinner. It was approximately 7:30 by this point. I wish i had taken a snapshot of the spread that was provided for us! Amazing food, good company and a ton of laughs!!! I was happy to sit for a few mins and rest my weary feet lol. Other than Jen my team had dissapeared out of the blistering heat long ago.
Third set of the day, thats Kathy lining up TNT for me
Phew are you getting tired keeping up with the events of the day? I know i am lol. Ok now it was time to work strictly with Kathy Wills! This was a rare oppurtunity for Kathy to model with her truck! Normally the only time TNT is 'tired up" is when they are doing shows.. and with show schedules there is no time to pose with the truck! Oh my goodness can we say laughter! We had so much fun! Kathy was cussing me out the entire time but laughing at the same time! Huge Kudo's to Kathy girl! It was HOT, uncomfortable and she still managed to pull off some beautiful shots! Here's a pull back of the session with Kathy
Once we all done with Kathy's part of the shoot I sent her back up to the house and started to wait! Jen stuck with me. We were the only ones in the field at this point.Everyone was up at the house relaxing after a long days work... I still had not seen a member of my team for some time at this point! Traitors.. lol just kidding... it was very hot out i can't blame them for hiding inside. here's what i was patiently waiting for in the field.. All I can say is what a way to end the day!!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
A Stormy Week in the Life of a photographer
Its been a very stormy and harsh week! Where to start... well lets go back to monday. Just after I wrote my blog for last week, I ended up having my nose broken by a young boy at the pool! I had taken my daughter and a couple friends swimming. While standing chatting with the girls in the pool I turned my head and WHAM! I was hit straight across the nose with one of those hard rubber diving rings! After grabbing my face ( yep i grabbed my face) and desperately attempted not to pass out in the pool I managed to mumble a garbled " its ok.. it was an accident" to the mother. I rounded up the kids and headed home! After a long night of agony I then realized in the morning when I looked in the mirror that my nose was indeed broken, It sat crookedly on my face, surrounded by bluish/green bruising and massive amounts of swelling. Oh joy.. this was looking to be a great week! Having a ton of work that still needed to be done I emailed and called everyone and begged off their finished work for one more day, I desperately needed to rest, I could barely eat anything at this point!
Phew it was starting out to be a great week lol. Tuesday woke to grey skys and heavy rain.. No shoots for the day so i settled in with a very large cup of coffee and my list of " To Do's". I managed to get about an hours worth of work done before needing to | rest my face" lol yep even moving my eyes hurt! This last week has been full of finishing up my work load, nursing my poor nose and helping my daughter study for her exams. Work wise the week has been pretty quiet!
Last night we had "another" storm.. it seems it has been a very wet and rainy spring so far. Seemed almost fitting that a massive storm cell would move in on the eve of "Summer Solstice" But wow did I capture some amazing images!! The sunset was unbelievably beautiful, with the massive storm cell looming just above it!
Just before the storm hit I managed an amazing shot of the sky.. here it is
At this point I was lost in the storm frenzy that sometimes over takes me! In the distance I heard a worried " Where are you honey?" from my husband.. my daughter replied with " She's taking photos of the storm dad" Lost in the beauty and amazement of Natures fury I went back to what i was doing. Shortly after this the lightening started.. and Wow was it transfixing and amazing to watch. Here's one example from last night.
Finally i shut the camera down for the night and decided to check my emails. Patiently waiting for me inside was an email from KBGRAPHICS! My New logo decals were ready and I could pick them up the following morning. Yaaay I was super stoked about this one! These logo's will go on "TNT MONSTER TRUCK! How many girls can say they have their names on a MONSTER TRUCK??? Not that many let me tell you lol. Kathy Wills and her husband are currently travelling back from Highlevel Alberta, where they took part in the MUDBOGS! So I am very stoked for their return so I can take the Logo Decals over to her! I cannot wait to see them on the truck! All in all its been an interesting, eventful and fun week! Oh and Happy Fathers Day to all the daddies out there!!
Phew it was starting out to be a great week lol. Tuesday woke to grey skys and heavy rain.. No shoots for the day so i settled in with a very large cup of coffee and my list of " To Do's". I managed to get about an hours worth of work done before needing to | rest my face" lol yep even moving my eyes hurt! This last week has been full of finishing up my work load, nursing my poor nose and helping my daughter study for her exams. Work wise the week has been pretty quiet!
Last night we had "another" storm.. it seems it has been a very wet and rainy spring so far. Seemed almost fitting that a massive storm cell would move in on the eve of "Summer Solstice" But wow did I capture some amazing images!! The sunset was unbelievably beautiful, with the massive storm cell looming just above it!
Just before the storm hit I managed an amazing shot of the sky.. here it is
Monday, June 13, 2011
June 13th A day in the Life
Wow what a busy week and weekend it has been!! Last weekend I spent the entire weekend with TNT and Sheer Insanity"Canada's only husband and wife Monster Truck Team! "TNT" is owned and driven by Canada's only Female Monster Truck Driver! For the first time Ever they were a part of "Spectrum" a Fantastic Fun in the sun celebration! I was Joined by Jennifer Oliver of . I was unable to be there for certain parts of the event so she was able to cover for me! By the end of the weekend we were all seriously sunburnt but very happy! It Couldn't have gone better!
I also had the privilege of doing a fantastic engagement session with an amazing couple during last weekend. Due to the flooding that has happened recently our first location had to be changed due to the wild life reserve being closed. We were able to use Strathcona park instead. Now normally when I am doing a shoot I like to dress nice, however knowing that I was shooting monster trucks right after their session I chose Jeans and a t shirt. Thank Goodness they understood! I felt seriously under dressed for their special session! I have to say they are one of the best couples that I have had the pleasure of working with, the entire session was full of laughter and fun!
Needless to say I was wiped by the end of the weekend! The rest of the week was spent with me racing to try and catch up on editing! Between monster trucks, engagement sessions, a trash the dress session before, a fireman session I was waaaay behind in editing! On Thursday My daughter had her end of the year School BBQ! I figured it would be fun but imagine my surprise when I arrived and discovered Colleen Garland, my good friend and Amazing Henna artist was there! ,It was fantastic to see her again! I seem to have a habit of bumping into her when I least expect it! If your ever looking for Henna I highly recommend Colleen! SHE DOES NOT USE BLACK HENNA and her Henna is completely natural and her talent is amazing!
This last weekend was split between editing, yard work and family obligations! It was fun but tiring!
I have several new projects on the go! One being " Can you make the cut" I am currently looking for models to go through a modelling process The final 5 will partake in the final theme which I hope to display in my newest Gallery exhibit! I will also be taking part in the Medicine Hat Stampede Visual arts Show again this year! Both my daughter and I took part last year and it was so amazing to do so with her! its difficult enough as an adult to put your work out there, its even more difficult as a young lady! I am also working on a " Perceived Perception " Project which I will unveil soon! All in all its been an amazing two weeks!
I also had the privilege of doing a fantastic engagement session with an amazing couple during last weekend. Due to the flooding that has happened recently our first location had to be changed due to the wild life reserve being closed. We were able to use Strathcona park instead. Now normally when I am doing a shoot I like to dress nice, however knowing that I was shooting monster trucks right after their session I chose Jeans and a t shirt. Thank Goodness they understood! I felt seriously under dressed for their special session! I have to say they are one of the best couples that I have had the pleasure of working with, the entire session was full of laughter and fun!
Needless to say I was wiped by the end of the weekend! The rest of the week was spent with me racing to try and catch up on editing! Between monster trucks, engagement sessions, a trash the dress session before, a fireman session I was waaaay behind in editing! On Thursday My daughter had her end of the year School BBQ! I figured it would be fun but imagine my surprise when I arrived and discovered Colleen Garland, my good friend and Amazing Henna artist was there! ,It was fantastic to see her again! I seem to have a habit of bumping into her when I least expect it! If your ever looking for Henna I highly recommend Colleen! SHE DOES NOT USE BLACK HENNA and her Henna is completely natural and her talent is amazing!
This last weekend was split between editing, yard work and family obligations! It was fun but tiring!
I have several new projects on the go! One being " Can you make the cut" I am currently looking for models to go through a modelling process The final 5 will partake in the final theme which I hope to display in my newest Gallery exhibit! I will also be taking part in the Medicine Hat Stampede Visual arts Show again this year! Both my daughter and I took part last year and it was so amazing to do so with her! its difficult enough as an adult to put your work out there, its even more difficult as a young lady! I am also working on a " Perceived Perception " Project which I will unveil soon! All in all its been an amazing two weeks!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Watch for upcoming events for Lacrosse Photography
Watch for New blogs every week! keep up with what We are doing! Things are always happening and full of excitement! Next blog post will be posted June 13th 2011
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