Thanks for all the shouts out re: the whole psiorasis (or something) drama - your emails set me up with some good solutions. Phew what a week.

My week has also been filled with photo sessions, kids, families, more kids and families but today I wanted to share something a bit different. I shoot many maternity sessions, however I don't usually blog them due to their private nature, but I have permsisions to share from some recent sessions.

Here are two maternity fave's from last month.

stunning gals!

and a food shot that I thought was an appropriate match

A little something from my mom's (aka cheerleader) garden. I wanted to keep this shot about simplicity because what draws my eyes in these garlic scapes is where the white transitions to the green in the bulb - so beautiful.

What a pleasant session this was - pleasant in the, you are an amazing family kind of way. From the moment their little, self-assured, gorgeous little person marched in the studio, announcing "yah, I'm here," I knew we were off to a great start.

But before, I share what we created here is photo number 12  - which of course comes with a bit of a story.

After being announced by their son, the rest of the Mackay crew came into the studio, looking smashing and bringing gifts. Pagan had made me a little basket with some local Gone Crackers, and the most amazing veggie pate.

Pagan, that was so sweet. I know you told me we could freeze the pate, but we ate them both to fast and our apples look super cute in the basket (and definitely will be used for a photo sometime as well.) Thanks so much!

I had a huge wedding yesterday, an amazing romantic wedding (but more of that in a few days,) and then I ran off to play at Music Fest and now, I am going to gear up and do the same.

So a cheater shot, but an informative one.

Yes, that is yesterday's bride Alison with a Surgenor beer. Surgenor is our very new local brewery - it was about time this town had one. Alison and her hubby organized to have Surgenor at their wedding and the brewery was able to set them up with a nice keg table and a staff member to bartend. How fantastically local and awesome is that?

It's my blog and I am going to vent. See, I have always had it easy when it comes to skin - yes, skin. No bad teen-pimple trauma, I tan easily, nice olive complexion but noooooooooooo, not anymore. I have developed a severe case of what the good ol' dr. thinks is psoriasis - notice I used the word severe, well I am not stretching the truth.

It started rearing it's head a few months ago, but I have mainly been able to keep it in check. However, during the last few days it has developed and it's a big problem. My skin, (oh, did I mention it is on my face?) is on fire and looking the opposite of lovely.

My wonderful dr. has been on the case, I have a call out to the naturopath and even had to go to emergency as I was directed to if it got to close to my eyes.  I am doing everything I can - well sort, of.

Today, I am cutting out all yeast and sugar products  - ALL. So, if my blog posts become incoherent I can't help it as sugar is one of my vises.

Meanwhile, if you have any great psoriasis success stories to share, I beg of you, leave a comment or shoot me an email.

Okay, now that I have that out of my system onto other things.

We hit up music fest last night and as usual, it exceeded my expectations, today I am off for an awesome beach  wedding and then, more music fest, followed by more music fest tomorrow.

Yet, not without my food of the day shot.

I present to you a yeast free, sugar free local zucchini

If you see this girl, smile at her, because chances are she is smiling and if she isn't she must be having a really bad day and need a smile.
Each and every time I have met Mollie she has had the hugest smile. She is interesting, talented, kind and full of life.

Just in case you didn't catch on Mollie - I loved photographing you -thanks for the great session.

Her pa Townsend joined us for a few shots - which was lovely!

Last week I took a Saturday off - it is a rare occurrence during the summer months, yet I do take a few to have some Saturday weekend love. However, I did work on the Sunday. I now have a big crush on Sunday sessions. What I find is that people are really chilled, they have soaked up some r&r on Saturday so they are feelin' fine. Meanwhile, when we are out and about photographing everyone else is at home mowing their lawn,which means we have parks and streets to ourselves.

Feeling like you want some Sunday session action, I only have a few Sunday's available so give us a call at the office and grab them while you can.

Now, part of the warm fuzzy of the Sunday Action was the people I were photographing. First up was the Warne family - who pretty much laughed with me through the whole thing.

A nice family portrait:

and then the one I think they should hang up huge in their house

So after the Warne family I was riding a good photo high, which was thankfully joined by the Buchanan's. This family is a show stopper- literally. I met them before when three out of the four of them hit the stage as Part of the Pantuso Groove 2009 show and they owned it - it was great to have them in front of the camera and to have the chance to get to know them better. You couldn't ask for better clients.

Now I have to say two of my absolute fave's from this shoot can't be shared. It is a surprise to their mom and dad and you have to wait until your all your images are ready for viewing. Sorry - I promised your kids.

Love the tree overhanging in this one.

and something a bit different

Day Nine is feeling not Fine.

Cupcake Hangover.

I use to just have a love relationship with Jen from Sugarheads Cupcakes, now it is love/hate - sorry Jen, that's what happens when you make such killer cupcakes.

If you are in need of cupcakes that have moist flavourful cake and icing good enough to break down any resistance you might have had to eating too many cupcakes Sugarhead,s are for you.

Jen and I, along with the crew from Our Big Earth throw the big Today Present Cupcake Party at the studio every year so I am intimately acquanted with these cupcakes, but after this latest round of indulgence I am pretty sure she has elevated them to a new level.

FYI - you can order these cupcakes for weddings, parties or just because you need them. They also make an appearance at the Farmer's Market now and then. - check out their website. 

The mint one makes me melt.

There is a little perk to having my studio where it is and that is the really yummy neighbours I have. One of them is Brambles. Owners Jim and Angeline actually use to live next door to me, so we aren't home neighbours anymore and instead are work neighbours.

Although it was great having them live next door to us, given the choice, I would take them as work neighbours - it comes with more perks. I recently acquired back door privileges, which means when I just have  sec I can sneak in the backdoor to say hello or, as is usually the drill, grab some lunch.

The other day when I popped in their was a demo going on as part of the 30 Day Eating Local Challenge. The Hot Chick Spice Company was handing out samples and I made off with more than my share - for photography purposes of course.

There two different varieties here, one on a piece of bread.

and in the name of balance, this is a short blog post as I am off to have some chill time with John. But first, I have to tell you I had an amazing day which ended with a session with a fabulous family who even brought along some home made treats for me to take home (thanks Pagan and crew!)