If you don't know about Y.A.N.A. scroll down to my last post.

As part of my Y.A.N.A. day of shooting I had a few special visitors pop into the studio to create some photos that will be used in Advertising the Century Ride.

Thanks to Anita from Y.A.N.A and Peter from the Comox Valley Record Newspaper (the Record is also a sponsor for the event)  for putting this together and the busy folks who took time out of their day to come and be photographed to help promote the ride.

The Century Ride is a 100 mile bike ride.The ride will be happening on Sunday, September 13. The ride is divided into 3 separate loops and the riders are welcome to do all or part of the course. It's not a race. It's about community coming together for a common cause. In the spirit of community and along with our philosophy of families helping families, a family ride has been added this year. The family ride is 5 1/2 kms through Comox that children and families are encouraged to do together. Riders are encouraged to collect pledges and all of the money raised will go YANA.  For more information call Anita at the YANA office 890-0343 or contact us through the websitewww.yanacomoxvalley.com or through Black'sCycle (a huge sponsor of the event) 339-7011 or visit their websitewww.blackscycle.ca

Meet a few of the riders:

Janine Tiller, Nick Holatko, Anita Brassard, Erin Halichuk from the Record, Bert Heeringa from Canadian Tire and Dave Proctor from Remax.

Do you ever have those days where everything moves you? I am a A+++ happy crier and sometimes I think it gets a bit out of control.

You look at a stunning sky and are in awe, you watch people interactions carefully and are moved by how they treat each other, you see goodenss everywhere, you are acutely aware of how privileged you, then you hear that certain piece of music that puts all the mushiness into overdrive.

That is the day I am having.

I am sure it has nothing to do with the extreme lack of sleep I have had the last few days or the extra sweetness the kids are oozing with right now. 

Just because posts are better with photos here is one that I took of Gabrielle, who is a cancer survivor, a smiler, a beauty and SO much more.  She moved me.

Did I mention she brought me a today present before I even knew her, um, yah – really. She showed up at the today present party with a cupcake bath bomb from my new favorite store Flawless.

Some people are just meant to be a Mckinnon client, Kindle is one of them, she was excited to let me do my thing, she got what we were laying down, she caught our vibe, we were on the same train.....

She showed up for the session totally chilled, happy and laid back. This is something I always encourage as I think kids catch our vibe. Then she just went with the flow, she joined in my silly photo games, and let me and Aneka do our thing. 

She was open to where the session went, depending on the weather, light and the mood of her very busy toddler.

We met at the studio, started our session there and then cruised the ‘hood. Kindle loves what is happening at the corner and wanted to capture some of that – love that about her!

Did I mention she brought me a today present before I even knew her, um, yah – really! She showed up at the today present cupcake party with a cupcake bath bomb from my new favorite store Flawless.Thanks Kindle and thanks for the great session!

A year ago, two of my lovely clients Sherry and Kristina became the proud owners of Little Me on Cliffe Ave. It is a wonderful store that people just fall in love with. There is some consignment children's clothing and toys, adorable BC made new outfits, a plethora of cloth diaper options and more. The cherry on top of all the merchandise is Sherry and Kristina themselves. These two are so warm and welcoming they are the main reason I pop into the store. I should mention that if you are considering cloth diapering they are the go to gals - between them they definitely have an encyclopedia of knowledge about the ins and outs of what works.

Tonight between 6 and 8 they are having a one year anniversary celebration. The first ten people will receive gift baskets with some yummy goodies. They asked us to contribute and you know I love parties and presents, so we set them up with a goodie for each bag - two of the bags have the "yipee, yay, this is awesome, I can't believe my luck" gift and the other 8 have  a "wow - cool" gift.

Catch my drift?

Big congrats Sherry and Kristina!

Despite my rumblings in the morning yesterday was a day that I would happily live again.
It brought a wonderful baby session, a trip to my amazing chiropractor (past McKinnon bride Dr. Robin Rae), a work meeting, a trip to the compost session with Maggie and Selah for One Big Earth's gardening program and then the school fun fair.

When I finally returned home one of the most extreme flower bouquets I have ever received (mom, it rivalled the one you sent me five years ago in Victoria - the one that was so big I had to buckle it in a seatbelt on the drive home,) awaited me.

It was from the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation as a thank you for some volunteer photography work I have done for them.  It is stunning and I would have taken a photo of it but my gear is at the studio (this is the first time I have done this and it is a lame idea I will not repeat. ) So you will just have to imagine a bouquet which is way to big for any vase we own. I love it.

I do however have some Today Present Party photos to share.

While I was setting up Selah made her own little sign

My Favorite photo of the day. Andi and her wow face when she came in the new studio. Thanks Andi, I will look at this photo when I am having a bad day. On the right is a photo of Oliver with a photo of his sister behind him - these two kids are easily two of the most photogenic in the valley.

Future cupcake decorators take note - in order to snag all the sprinkles, decorate your cupcake with icing and then turn it upside down and collect sprinkles using a stamping motion.

I have no idea who took this photo, but it cracks me up

Thanks again to everyone who came by and all that supported the event.

Last year in partnership with One Big Earth and the Sugarheads Gourmet Cupcakes we launched the TODAY PRESENT PARTY and it was such a success we are bringing it back!

What is a TODAY PRESENT PARTY you ask?

The TODAY PRESENT PARTY is a great way for kids to have some fun and for families to connect. Every kid  attending will create yummy works of art by decorating cupcakes that they will take with them as a present to give away to someone else, teaching them about the importance of giving back and how little gestures can make a big difference in someone's day. 

Robin from One Big Earth, Jen from the Sugarheads and I conceived of the idea because we wanted to do something fun and meaningful to thank all those that support our endeavors and are all big fans of building our community.  We also all like throwing a little magic out there! 

Of course, as well as creating cupcakes to give you will also receive a little gift from us just for attending.  Cupcakes to indulge in and eat right away will also be available for sale at the party.

My favorite things about this event is that it is FREE!

Last year we were floored with how many people showed up and how much fun we all had - so I expect to see you all again this year and am looking forward to seeing some new faces.

So mark your calendar, in a big red marker.

Where: McKinnon Photography studio

When: May 23 - 11 a.m to 3 p.m.

Keep an eye on the blog for updated information and spread the word!!

Going on holiday is good

Getting back to it is hard

I am thrilled to be back at work and have loved every moment of the photo shoots I have had this week.  Yet, about half way through the day I feel the urge to find a sunny spot, grab a coffee or glass of wine and chill with my book - and that just doesn't cut it.

Today I am off for a Chicks who Click class, and coming along with me is some sunny weather (finally!)

Then it is back right to this spot with the phone to my ear.

Despite a busy week I have managed to revamped our portrait presentation item offerings. We have some great new print packages and although some prices have gone up slightly (it has been three years,) some have gone down and the packages have more value than ever.

Also, we are honored to be offering a new line of photo jewellery. Just thrilled. They are hand made by a abbotsford designer Kelsey Vanderhorstand and were introduced to me by my photographer BFF's Jason and Darcie at Revival Arts. These are currently being made exclusively for McKinnon Photography and Revival Arts - lucky us!

Kelsey is making a big name for herself and her work has been featured on top fashion show runways.

You can check out all of Kelsey's work on her website KV BIJOU. I already have a wish list!

Above is the CHERISHED three tiered necklace ($197) and the BELOVED bracelet ($127). They are gorgeous and a great price!

I like rules and I tend to put high expectations on myself, I know it isn't always a good thing, yet, I am going to add one more rule and expectation - regular holidays. They are now on my must do list, the break and perspective is invaluable.

Selah and I have just returned from 13 days a way. We visited my big sis and bro-in-law at their Southern Compound (okay, well really it is just a big nice house, but my oh my ya'll the houses there are gorgeous and large.) We lounged, we shopped, we toured, I watched late night reality TV ( thank goodness I don't have cable or else I would need a Millionaire Matchmaker intervention,) and we had time with two of my favorite people.

Then we hopped a plane over to Disney World. Now, I am not a Disney gal, I never have been. As a child, the first time I went I lost my sweater, cried and wanted to leave. The second time I went, after a few hours there with my mom I suggested we leave and go to the beach. So, when my sister suggested Selah and I tag along with her to Florida where she had a meeting I thought, why not? It would be a mean mom who said no to such an experience and went along with it without any expectation.

It seems I have adjusted my attitude.

I am convert, I caught the magic, like about a minute after entering the gates!

The place was fantastic, the attention to detail and phenomenal customer service blew my mind.

We tore through the place in two and a half days soaking up the Magic and Animal Kingdom. Staying up as late as the six year old could handle and shaking her out of bed early in the morning to go for more. They must have got our message that we don't like lines and we never waited more than 20 minutes and we were able to see so much. Selah was blown away, she had no pre-concieved notion of Disney World.

The combo of family time in Atlanta + Disney was over the top fantastic, kind of surreal really, I kept asking myself why I am so blessed. 

Then to add to it, I get to come back here to a life I love (and a really wonderful fella who doesn't mind me talking off on holidays - thank you John.)

I am technically back at work tomorrow but have booked in a photo session with one of my favorite couples who are just here for the week, so I am better coffee up and get back in the saddle.

Just so I don't post without a pic, here is me and my big sister (taken by Selah) at Atlanta's Fickle Pickle where I had my first fried green tomato sandwich (and am kicking myself for not trying the fried pickle's.)

The stars are aligning

 .... I have a great birthday book (this is part of a five-year old tradition of buying a new book during birthday week based solely on the cover art and this year I chose SO WELL.)

.... One of my magazine subscriptions arrived today

.... I am exhausted so I will definitely go to bed early and be ready for an early morning.

..... John is picking me up snacks

.... and Christine has everything in the office under control.

Tomorrow morning Selah and I are heading to Atlanta to visit my big sis and brother-in-law. We plan on doing a lot of this:

A lot of nothing, a lot of resting, some reading and playing. Life has been pretty busy lately so I am looking forward to having some space in my day.

We will also be hitting up this and this and this is suppose to be pretty fun. We are going to get our shopping vibe on as well, as we have let our clothes turn to tatters in anticipation of some big city duds.

Mostly though I will be soaking up some sister time and some solo Selah time.

We will be checking emails and phone messages so don't shy away if you have been meaning to get in touch.

Later - Karen

(oh, I am travelling without a computer but am hoping to do some shooting and blogging while away, but on the other hand I might just give into the couch and walks on the river.)

Jenna + Andrew + mckinnon photography = happy times.

Jenna was a bridesmaid in her friend Allison's wedding last summer. When she called me bubbling with enthusiasm o tell me about her upcoming wedding and asking me to be her photographer, I had a big ol' smile.

She is a special woman, passionate about her work and her love for people, warm yet assertive, and always rockin' some killer style. This is not a gal who does things half-way. Her real love in life though is the lucky Andrew.

I am just getting to know him yet you can sense that he is her rock. In finding him, she feels like she has hit the jackpot and he, well ,is so darn smitten with her it will almost you blush.

These two are going to make a life together and live with big hearts and lots of depth (while always wearing funky shoes,) and documenting it makes me feel like a kid in the candy store.