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

Danica and her folks came in for a lovely session. Although there are many just of Danica, of Danica and their dog, of Danica and mom and dad these two definitely stood out.

I know, if I had photos like these of me and my mom and me and my dad they would be so meaningful.

In both of these you can see the emotion.

I couldn't have it any better. The wedding clients I work with are just the nicest people - case in point, Jen and Matt.

They are both smart, funny, very warm and full of personality. They created the most spectacular event for their friends and family, which says so much about who they are. Most of the guests were here from out of town and Jen and Matt wanted to them to have an amazing time and wanted to spend as much time with them as possible during the wedding day.
I am confident that everyone, myself included, was wowed by the weekend they hosted. A welcome bbq on friday, a stunning local for the ceremony and appies, followed by a reception at Crown Isle Resorts - this set the tone for a very memorable and meaningful weekend of which I felt honored to be part of.

The I am not going to cry hand motion

And of course the cry

You all know about my neighbours - Mudsharks, Brambles, Green Room and Benino Gelato, but we are also getting some upstairs folks, one of whom is Frances Ferguson. Fran is an experienced clinical counselor who just moved her practice to the valley.

I loved photographing her, she is such a calm and warm presence - no doubt she is great at what she is going to do and is going to experience great success.

Welcome Fran!

My employee Christine comes with many perks. Of course she brings lots of talent, skills, smarts and personality to the job - but these days I am loving her for her perks. 

She fixes things, she can talk "contractor" language, she has chips when I need them, she is going to teach me how to cut Utah's (that's our new dog) nails and much more - but the biggest perk is that she has the cutest, happiest, reasonable beautiful, captivating daughter.

I was holding off blogging these as I thought she might surprise her hubby with them, but apparently not being patient is something both her and I have in common, so seeing how he has already seen them I can blog away.

It's Friday night I am putting on cute shoes, listeing to music, I have a glass of wine in my hand and am heading out for sushi followed by an evening flooded with friends and  possibilities -

yah, as if!!!

my friday nights are way better than that

It's Friday night and I am wearing nice but practical shoes and an outfit that follows, I have my water bottle, and maybe a decaf coffee. I am listening to a something a bit mellow and inspiring. The light in the sky is dimming, starting to glow even. I turn onto a little street I have never seen, a hidden gem and following, I marvel  how it gets increasingly beautiful. I pull into a charming welcoming home and am greeted by the Harrison family - this is what we do

Harris thanks for being so welcoming - I completely adore you!

I know you are watching,waiting and eager to see more sneak peeks. I love you for that.

So, come back soon and they will be here.

I had three inspiring maternity sessions this past week - all so different. A couple who have been together for ten years, building careers and surfing, and now they are adding to the family. A younger woman who came in glowing with her mom and best friend who kept her giggling the whole time. Then I headed to the beach for a couple expecting their second child who went au naturel  for some beautiful maternity session.

Of course I can't share any of these sessions.

So instead here is a photo of a pie.

Why?

We love our neighbourhood and it got even better when Mark, Clare and Ionia moved in next door and then proceeded to take over Greenwood Pies in downtown Courtenay.

Mark had already developed a reputation with local foodies for the great sausages that he makes and that are available at Brambles (and now Greenwood Pies) But there is more to know.  Being the friendly neighbours that we are, John and I have volunteered  our services to sample some of the new offerings at Greenwood Pies.

Mark has put his own spin on some of the pies and also makes amazing curries. You can go in and have them for lunch or do the take out thing. We have a few bags of it in our freezer and for about $9 they serve both John and I. They are as good as any curry I have had and are perfect for those evenings when we have a later dinner and want to feel a little spoiled. 

Oh the pie?

Yes, Ionia, who is  6 made these up for our kids as a today present. Being nice to your neighbours pays off.

I was on the phone with Christine and was looking out my studio window, when I interrupted her to say "OMG, there is the cutest baby coming my way - seriously"

That was Kiri. She came into the studio for her session on Wed morning and brought it. Her eyes were sparkling, the red hair full of personality, a wardrobe of great outfits, perfect chubby arms, big smiles, snarls and smirks.

The session rolled easily, me shooting while mom and I ohhed and ahhed at Kiri and laughed at her performance.

Definitely some new fave's in this session.