Julie Nickerson Photography

Cookie Cutter vs. Custom Photography

2010-11-17T15:36:00.000-04:00

This is a bit of a rant. If you don't want the whining and snarling, don't read any further.

For those of you who think that custom photography is expensive and not worth the cost should probably go watch a photo session with a custom photographer then watch a session done at a school or any other place that, to me, are cookie cutter sessions. There is a world of difference.

I just came back from watching Larissa's grad photo session. What an experience that was. It was a $30 session fee for 9 different poses. That is fine if the photographer took his time doing the shoot. He did not take the time to fix her sash (it was crooked). I stepped in to do that after his young photography student kept doing it and he got after her. It would be fine if the 9 different poses were actually 9 different poses. The photographer had her look to the side, smile, no smile. Look at the photographer straight on, smile, no smile. That's 4 poses. Put bouquet of flowers in her hands, smile, no smile. If you are counting, that's 6. Oh yeah, and never mind the hand chop. Keep bouquet of flowers in hands and add rolled up paper tied with ribbon, smile, no smile. That's 8 poses. Take bouquet of flowers away and leave the rolled up paper. Snap one. Print off wallet sized proofs, put into folder with print price list. Done. That's it. Thirty bucks for 10 freaking minutes. To me that is expensive.

Now I realize that there are so many students that they have to fit in a certain amount of time. And I'm not saying that people should not use the services of a photography chain. But I am tired of hearing people say how expensive custom photography is. I've even heard complaints on session fees and how expensive they are. $30 for 10 minutes I mean come on. I would rather pay a session fee with a photographer who I know is going to take their time, pay attention to detail, offer up more of a variety of poses and offer proofs that you can actually see. I'm hanging these photos on my walls. They will be hanging for years to come. I want something that I can be proud of.

Most people don't understand photography. I get that. But most people know professionalism when they see it. I didn't witness it at this session.

I am not a gear snob. I know that someone who knows photography can produce amazing images with the cheapest of cameras. Do not promote that you shoot with professional gear and show up with a camera body held together with duct tape. Just sayin.

Ok, end of rant. Glad to get that off my chest.

Miss J & Her Baby Bump

2010-09-20T22:34:00.002-03:00

I had the opportunity to shoot Miss J and her baby bump. This ended up being two sessions. The first session was a bit chilly and we were losing light fast. I also wanted to do beach photos as well. So, we got together a few days later when it was warmer and the light was simply amazing.

Here are some favorites from the first session:

From the beach session:

Oh to be young and gorgeous *sigh*

Thank you Miss J for the opportunity to photograph you during an exciting time of your life. Also, thank you for indulging me and my crazy ideas with the umbrella :)

I can't wait to meet the little one in a few weeks :)

Baby Bump

2010-09-05T09:29:00.002-03:00

August 27, 2010

We had planned to do this two times before but Mother Nature wasn't playing nice. Third time is a charm. The weather was beautiful, the sunset amazing and I had two gorgeous people for this shoot. What more could I ask for.

We met at one of the local beaches for this session. Mr. J really didn't want to be there to have his photo taken. I talked him into a couple of photos. It didn't take him long to figure out that I lied to him :)
He ended up in being in most of the shots. Thank you for indulging me Mr. J.

My favorite from the session.

The lighting was just amazing.

I spy with my little eye, a baby bump.

I just had to do silhouettes. I'm thinking that I probably done too many. Here's a couple.

Thank you M & J for allowing me to photograph you two during this special time. I hope that these images will bring back memories in years to come.
I am looking forward to meeting the little one in a few weeks.

Jim & Sherri

2010-09-05T08:37:00.000-03:00

August 15, 2010

Jim and Sherri live in Ontario. Jim was born and raised here in Nova Scotia but moved to Ontario as a young man seeking work. Jim met Sherri and they fell in love. I'm not going to tell you how many years ago that was :)
They use to come to Nova Scotia quite frequently but it has been 8 years since their last visit. Imagine my surprise when a motorcycle pulled into my driveway and there were two people that I hadn't seen in a long time. I was even more surprised when they asked me to do their summer vacation photos. I just had to oblige.

Here's a sneak peek Jim and Sherri :)

Jim and Sherri have a passion for each other. They also have a passion for motorcycles. I remember one year when they rode from Ontario on their bikes. This year they came in their truck and brought one motorcycle with them to tour around Nova Scotia. I had to incorporate the bike into their photos.

Poor Sherri had an inner ear infection and was suffering from vertigo. She was a trooper during this shoot even though she probably would rather have been resting. I hope you are feeling better, Sherri.

Thank you for letting me "shoot" you guys. Hope to see you two again soon. Don't make it another 8 years before you guys come back for a visit :)

A Boy & His Guitar

2010-08-11T23:07:00.000-03:00

July 16, 2010

Well, no longer a boy. He's now a man. How did that happen? How did my first born, my only son grow up so fast? He keeps reminding me that he's now half my age. BRAT!! lol

I went to a mentoring workshop with Jeanette LeBlanc in Halifax (that will be a separate post). She told me to bring an unedited session with me. Since the girls were away, Jory was my victim. He indulged me for about 10 minutes. Thank you Jory your mother greatly appreciates it :)

I wanted to get different angles of him playing

I wanted to get a nice one of him smiling. He could not give me a natural smile to save his soul. Well, that is until he, never mind. I won't tell you what he did. Lets just say there was a foul stench in the air.

Silly Nonsense & Snapshots

2010-07-14T00:03:00.001-03:00

I'm editing to add, that I started this post on July 13th. The clock rolled over :)

That's what this post is about.
I turned 40 today. I don't normally announce my birthday but today I am :)
I don't think that 40 is a milestone, it's just another number, but it's also the start of a decade. A decade where I will see my children become young adults. One will finish his education and the girls will continue on with theirs. Maybe our family will grow with marriages and grandchildren.

I'm not sure if it's because I'm 40, but I am more sure of myself, I'm sure of the things that I want and don't want in my life. And I'm also sure that I am no more mature now than what I was 30 years ago :)

Anyways, enough of the silly nonsense and on to the snapshots.

My two girls were leaving me on Sunday. One to cadet camp and the other to St. Anne's University. My mother thought that since my family is my life, that we should do the cake thing on Saturday when most are around. Michael, was out sword fishing and missed out on the cake. I saved him some, he's happy.

Mom always make the cake and dad always decorates it. Hmmm I think he has a bit of dyslexia.

Hi Mom :)

Hi Dad :)

I went out today before going to work to play with my macro lens.

Totally blew the red channel on this one

After a few shots, he discovered that I was taking photos.

Michael cooked supper for me tonight and wanted to take me out for an ice cream. We had just gotten into the truck when I noticed this visitor.

He's not in a good spot. Sylvester, our cat, uses this Japanese maple tree has his resting spot. Good thing the cat was inside.

Rabbit heard my shutter click and focusing beep. Rabbit decided not to stick around.

I was stalking him

"Ok, lady I'm hungry. Aren't you going to leave me alone?"

I'm tired. It's been a busy day. Yes, a busy day, it's not because I'm 40 :)

My Little French Girl

2010-07-09T23:11:00.000-03:00

July 4, 2010

Well, almost. She will be in 5 weeks time. Larissa in the French Immersion Program at Universite Sainte Anne
When she completes this course she will get a bilingual certificate.
I'm so proud of her, she got in on a full bursary. Her smarts got her in for free. Way to go Larissa!!!! I'm so proud of you!

Of course the camera could not stay home when we took her there.

I'm not sure if any photographers look at this blog of mine. But, I feel that I should put out a warning.
WARNING: extreme snapshots ahead

Please mommy, don't make me fill out these forms. I don't want to stay.

If I have to stay then he is to. Um, yeah, I don't think so.

Had to take a snap of one of the buildings on campus. They are all old. I'm hoping to take more of the buildings the next time I am there.

We compromised on her staying there by filling up her belly before we left. Kids!! Gotta feed 'em.

She is really going to miss him.

Think she's sad because her sister is going to be away? Nah, she's reading the restaurant menu.

Now Dad on the other hand. He's not too happy about his little girl growing up. I think he's taking a stroll down memory lane. Or just ignoring me. I think it's the latter.

Her future's so bright, she's gotta wear shades. (Anyone remember that song? Or is it just me that's old?)

Love you lots Larissa and I mean it.

Brace Face

2010-07-09T22:54:00.000-03:00

June 10, 2010

Well, half of a brace face. Michaela has a severe under bite. Braces has been put on her bottom teeth to try and move them so that they are behind the top teeth. Eventually, she will need braces on her top teeth as well. So far she's had no pain or pressure from them. She's just aggravated because she cannot eat popcorn for the next two years.

Being the good mother that I am to my teenage daughter, I decided to bring my camera along to document this occasion :)

She had to eat before getting the braces.

Her bff came along for moral support.

I told her that I was getting blackmail photos of her with her mouth wide open. I'm only showing these :)

The cost of having this done is equivalent to that of a small car.

100mm 2.8 macro lens

2010-05-09T22:39:00.000-03:00

I recently purchased a new to me Canon 100mm 2.8 macro lens. I am so in love with this lens. It's a bit heavy but if I keep my shutter speed up, I'm okay.

Some images:

sugar

I can even use this lens for portrait sessions.

(this image was taken during a photo club meet up. I'll blog about that later.)

I love spring and I love daffodils.

Although I do like to keep this blog family friendly I will warn you though, you are about to get up close and personal with a daffodil. Consider yourself warned.

As more flowers bloom, I'll be taking more shots. I'm so in love with this lens :)

Earth Hour

2010-03-27T23:13:00.000-03:00

I didn't realize that it was Earth Hour tonight. I seen it on a friend's facebook status. We observe Earth Hour every year. I was home a lone this time. I turned the main power switch off and then started twiddling my thumbs. I was at a loss at what to do. I can usually find things to do but I guess with the power being off I was at a loss.
The moonlight was shining in so I got out my camera and took a shots of the moon. Not totally full but getting there.

Then I worked on some knitting. Nothing like knitting in candle light with a cat snoring beside me.

Please ignore the blowouts. I tried different exposures but the candles kept blowing out. They do look a bit funky but that's because of the blow out and they are also frosted (& dusty).

Wouldn't it be neat with the flame being a star burst?

Yeah, that didn't work out as planned either. Still blow outs.

Did you observe Earth Hour? What did you do?

PS. George, umm I mean Mr. McRae, oops I mean Sir. If you are reading this please disregard the spelling and grammatical mistakes. As well, as the photo mistakes :)

My Little Boy is Headed to the City

2010-03-19T12:44:00.000-03:00

My boy shocked me by informing me that he was headed to Halifax to visit friends for the weekend. I really don't want him to go but he's 20. How do I stop him? How did I let him get 20 come to think of it? I won't be home when he leaves tonight so being the mother that I am, I wrote out what I was planning on telling him. My penmanship is horrible. Here is what I wrote:

-Make sure cell phone is charged.
-Be careful driving. Especially at stop lights. The car will roll back (it's a standard).
-NO DRINKING & DRIVING!
-Walk away if you see that trouble is starting. People are getting killed.
-Keep in touch. I need to know that you are safe.
-Brush your teeth & change your underwear. (no comment on this one)
-Call if you need me.
-Do not take unnecessary risks.
-Girls have cooties. Do not kiss them. There are a certain kind of girl that moms like. Good girls, they don't kiss a guy they just met.
-Call home when you get to the city.
Love Mom

Being my mother's daughter, I wrote this on a small piece of paper and used both sides. I don't want to be wasteful even though being wasteful does keep paper mills open and people working. I don't want to harm the environment anymore than I have to. Mom's theory is don't make waste. She's not concerned about the environment but she is concerned about a shortage of paper.

I'm worried even though he goes to school in a different province. He's not use to Halifax. He's not use to city driving. Where he goes to school is like here, the streets are rolled up at 10:00 p.m. There is no night life. I worry about him when he's away to school. Now, I'm worried more.

Oh Boy. As I'm typing out this post, my oldest daughter yells that she's leaving now with her boyfriend to go visit his dad who is 2 hours away. I go to say bye and the boyfriend has a truck with a bunch of wooden posts on the back hanging out over. They were tied down but still.

People, don't let your kids grow up. It's hard on the nerves. I'm getting wrinkles and grey hair and it has nothing to do with my age and everything to do with my children.

Off to see what is in stock in the medicine cabinet that is stronger than Advil.

Jory's Project

2010-03-16T10:33:00.001-03:00

March 6, 2010

Last summer Jory decided to take apart and rebuild his father's 1986 4-wheeler.
It was quite the project for him and he done most of this totally on his own. He got it done in the fall and while he was home from school he would do some more tweaks to it.
We had a bit of snow (hopefully the last bit) and I took some shots of him.

He even had the old helmet that his father bought when he got the bike.

Okay kid you are getting a bit too close to me. Too close for comfort.

My lame attempt at panning. It didn't come out so good. Jory should be more in focus.

Whoa Kid!!! Now you are way too close. You don't want to run over your mother!! Well, sometimes he probably does :)

I asked him to take off the helmet and put the brake on and spin up some snow. He told me that he didn't have any brakes and then took off. COME BACK JORY AND GET YOUR HELMET BACK ON!!!!! Why doesn't this have brakes? You are not riding it again until it has brakes! Your mother has spoken!

He is quite proud of his project and so aren't I. Well, other than it having no brakes.

Kitty Cat

2010-03-08T21:34:00.001-04:00

I am totally obsessed with a blogger known as The Pioneer Woman. She has different tabs on her site which can take you into her homeschooling life, recipes, tasty kitchen (others submit recipes), confessions and photography. She puts out photo assignments. I haven't participated in her photo assignments until this latest one. This one is cats.
Last weekend 3 of us from the photo club got together to chat and go out to eat. It was a rainy miserable day so we hung out and took a few shots at Tracey's house. She has a very interesting dog as well as a very interesting cat that Jody and I were shooting. I wanted to practice with my speed light. Get it to make like I didn't use flash, which I'm usually unsuccessful.
Anyways, I submitted to PW's photo assignment this photo:

I went onto flickr.com this morning and seen that someone had commented on the photo congratulating me on this image making group 1.

Imagine my shock that PW chose my photo. I was so happy and elated and surprised and wondering what is wrong with this woman's eyes. I see so much wrong with this photo. The reason why I posted this image is because well, Duke is a cat and that I used flash and the image doesn't look to flashy. Well, to me anyways.

Thank you Tracey for letting me shoot your cat :)

PS to Jody and Tracey. I have posted links to your facebook groups. Let me know if they don't work. I seem to have a problem posting links from facebook.

Every Woman Is Beautiful

2010-02-23T21:26:00.000-04:00

And Deserves to Feel That Way

Feb. 5/2010

Beautiful Woman Boudoir

For anybody interested in doing a Beautiful Woman Boudoir Session drop me an email at jnick@eastlink.ca

Session Information:
The session would be done in the comfort and privacy of your own home. I shoot primarily natural light so I will walk around your house to find the best light. I may request that we move things around so there won't be any distracting backgrounds.
Your own lingerie will be used in the shoot.

Sad Time

2010-01-02T10:59:00.000-04:00

It's a sad time during a time that it should be joyous. The holidays should be a joyous time. Well, on Wednesday December 30, 2009 Canada suffered a loss of 4 soldiers and one Canadian reporter in Afghanistan. Michelle Lang was the first Canadian reporter to be killed.

It was found out that one of the soldiers killed is one from my area. This war in Afghanistan has been going on for so long and I guess it was inevitable that we lose someone from our little part of the world. It is such a rural area that you wouldn't think that the war would really hit home.

Well, it did. Sergent Kirk Taylor was born in Shelburne and lived in Yarmouth the past few years. Although I personally didn't know him, I still feel the loss as if I did know him. I do know his mother. I have done some work for her before. No mother should lose their child. Especially so tragically.

To the family and friends of Sergent Kirk Taylor, my deepest and sincerest sympathies go out to you all. No words expressed can take your pain or grief away. Just know and take comfort that you are thought of and are kept in prayers.

Rest in Peace Sergent Kirk Taylor
SergentKirkTaylor

A New Decade

2010-01-01T21:30:00.001-04:00

Wow it just seems like everyone was panicking about Y2K, like, just yesterday. Where has the time gone? Back in the '80's my friends and I use to discuss about the year 2000 and didn't think that we would be alive to see the turn of the century. Not because of the world destroying itself as in coming to an end. That was the belief back then. It was because we were going to be old ladies and we'd die from old age. Oh boy, kids and their way of thinking.

It's nice to look back and laugh at the things that I use to say and do. There are times that I wished that I could go back. Well, the way the time is flying, it's no good to keep looking back. Walking forward and looking behind so to speak. This is the start of a new year, a new decade, I will be turning 40 this year. So instead of walking forward and looking behind, I'm going to walk forward and look straight ahead at the future. The future's so bright you gotta where shades. Remember that?

I never make resolutions. I use to, but didn't carry them all out and end up feeling like a failure. So whenever asked what my New Year's Resolution is going to be, I'd just say that I resolve not to make any. I always keep that resolution :)

It's promises. That's what I make instead of resolutions. Feel like less of a failure.

This year, this new decade, here's to turning 40.
I promise:
1. To take my photography to a bigger and better level.
2. To blog more often. I'm pretty pathetic with keeping up with my blog.
3. Learn to be more confident with my photography. Actually with everything that I do.
4. Learn photoshop, my laser engraver, sublimation printing.
5. Incorporate new and wonderful things into my business.
6. Finish those un-finished projects. Even the ones that I started years ago.
7. Be more organized. Especially with my bookwork. I have to keep Revenue Canada happy.
8. Learn how and when to say no.
9. Live healthier. I do workout 3 times a week and I'm quite committed to that. I'm not committed to eating healthy and to do that I'm going to plant a vegetable garden and tend to it.
10. Learn to love the weather instead of letting it depress me. I shall embrace a summer full of fog. This is a real biggy. I get weather depressed. It's pretty bad.

That is 10 promises for the new year. I'm pretty excited about the new year and my promises this year. I hope that I can blog this time next year and say that I kept all of my promises. I guess we'll see :)

I started a project 365. Actually I started 2. I also started a blog about this as well. Here's the link if you want to check it out Julie'sProject365 I'm pretty excited about this. And nervous. It's going to be fun. I'm going to make it fun.

I'm not sure if anybody reads this blog and my ramblings. If there is anyone who reads this, I wish you joy, love, peace and prosperity in the new year.

If my brother and sisters read this. Just remember, I still have 7 months to tease you guys about being in your 50's and I'm still in my 30's :P

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

Dad and I spent the day together

2009-11-10T22:24:00.001-04:00

November 6, 2009

I had to take Dad for a doctor's appointment in Yarmouth. Mom usually goes with us but she was not feeling well so she decided to stay home.

We went shopping to Walmart, bought bathroom faucets at Home Hardware, looked at tv's at Roger's Furniture and ate lunch at the local Chinese restaurant. Surprised me that Dad wanted to eat there as he does not like that food.

Unfortunately I left my camera at home. *Note to self* take camera with me whenever I leave the house.

Dad has had been battling depression these last few months. I thought that it was the onset of Alzheimer's. I never knew that depression could do that much to a person. He was getting confused with things, losing interest in everything and was not eating. He lost 25 lbs in 2 months. Too much of a weight loss in such a short amount of time. He would sit in his chair day in and day out. He was seeing things that weren't there. He had a bit of a break down. He thought that his house and body was infected with insects and he was taking a needle and digging at himself to get rid of these bugs. "The bugs" were in his cuticles, in a spot on his face and all over his stomach and legs. Imagine the mess that he was in. He had open sores all over his body. I got him in to see a doctor. Not his family doctor but at that time any doctor would do. Turns out that this infestation is a form of delusional parasitosis. I though that the doctor was nuts himself and that my dad is in some form of dementia. With me asking Dad questions and the doctor looking in his file, he has been on Adavan for years and Dad admitted to abusing it. The doctor seems to think that this brought on the delusional parasitosis. He was prescribed an anit-psychotic drug. It calmed him down a bit but he was still picking at himself and at the wood flooring and the wooden table. Had to kill these bugs. After a while of going back and forth to the doctors and an increase in the drugs and me controlling his medication, he's finally gotten over that.

During all of this time Dad was insisting on being hospitalized. He had tests done to make sure that he is physically fine, which he was so he is being treated on an outpatient basis by his doctor. He was put on a nerve pill to help pick up his appetite and help him to sleep which he hasn't been doing. He also has to see a psychiatrist who has put him on another nerve pill to coordinate with the other pills that he's on. I still wasn't convinced that dementia wasn't in play here. The psychiatrist done a simple test and he passed and put my mind at ease. He's finally getting some sleep. His appetite still isn't the best. He's taking a bit more interest in things and driving a bit more. He was refusing to drive for quite a while. He said that he didn't trust himself.

I had him to his appointment with the psychiatrist last Friday. She is changing his pills. He is now on half the dose of adavan. When I filled up his container with his cocktail of pills he a bit of an anxiety attack when he seen me breaking those pills in half. He said that he needed them. They help him. But he tells me and his doctors that he wants to be off of them. I didn't tell mom of this because I don't want to worry her anymore.

What has bothered me and him is how depression has really affected him. To me he has always been strong. He could take on the world. I did see a bit of anxiety over the years but never thought anything of it. He was in the army. Old school army. Where any show of emotion showed weakness. He was a firm believer in that. This has showed him that he is human. That people have weaknesses. He's had a hard time coping with this. I had a hard time coping with this to. I've never seen someone so strong become so weak in a short amount of time. Someone that I had always depended on now dependent on me. It's like watching someone literally shrivel up. He is building himself back up. It's taking time and lots of medication but eventually he will be off of it.

If you suffer from depression, get help. If you know of someone suffering from depression, get them help. I have seen first hand what it can do to a person. It's not good.

To get back to what I was originally posting about (I sometimes channel Edith Bunker). I wished that I had my camera with me to take pictures of Dad eating. He pretty much cleaned his plate. I was so impressed with him. I did save our fortunes from our cookies. I usually don't believe in these things, I just like the cookies.

This was mine. It is true.

This one was Dad's

And you know what he told me? He said I do love you. Never heard him say that before in my life. It's an emotion and remember emotions shows weakness.

She Got 'Em!!!!

2009-11-09T22:29:00.000-04:00

November 2, 2009

My baby girl is now driving!
She is so proud and we are so proud of her. But, it wasn't that long ago that we were teaching her how to ride a bike. Where has the time gone?

Proud of you :)

Lynsay 2010 Grad

2009-11-08T22:19:00.001-04:00

I had a photo session with Lynsay. This young lady has the most beautiful smile and the most amazing eyes.

Senior girls soccer goal keeper extraordinaire.

Isn't she just gorgeous

Thank you Lynsay for the opportunity to "shoot" you :)

La Lune

2009-11-08T22:10:00.000-04:00

Photo Club Meet-up Scary Shoot

2009-11-08T22:09:00.000-04:00

November 1, 2009

A bunch of us from Shelburne County Photo Club met up at an abandoned house to do a scary shoot. While the models were getting ready I was going through the house getting some shots.

I lent out some gear during the model shoot so I didn't get any shots of them. But I did get spooked. As I was going around taking shots a bat decided to wake up and swooped at me. Not sure if I want to go back there again.

Scary Shoot

2009-11-08T21:59:00.000-04:00

October 27, 2009

Kyle was going to a grad social and asked a fellow photog to do his makeup. Kyle had three of us shooting him. Thanks Kyle for the spur of the moment shoot.

Trying out different processing.

Don't all ghouls have cell phones?

Not really liking the processing so I tried this:

Color

Not all was scary. While Kyle was getting his makeup done by a very talented lady, I took shots at Larissa.

Davide Greene Photo Workshop

2009-11-08T21:45:00.000-04:00

October 25, 2009

Had a blast at this and learned lots. Davide Greene came to Halifax to put on a workshop. I learned how to look for natural light reflectors outside. He showed us a "ghetto" lighting setup as well as old time Hollywood lighting.
The models were gorgeous.

Davide showing us how to get reflective light with the model in open shade.

This young man joined us outside. He was mimicking the models. I took his photo and he was pretending that he wasn't looking at me. Please kids, stay away from drugs.

Inside the studio with the "ghetto" light setup.

Old time Hollywood lighting.

I didn't travel to the city alone. Clifton Saulnier and Kyle Sears went with me. Thanks guys for attending this workshop with me. I really didn't want to travel alone.

Thanksgiving 2009

2009-11-08T21:27:00.000-04:00

We had our Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday October 12. Jory was home for the weekend and Saturday was the only day that everyone could get together. Mom and dad had us all over for turkey. It was very yummy.

Dad's hands carving the turkey. I didn't think that he would be able to do that this year. I'm glad that he insisted on it.

Love Mom's biscuits.

Everybody chowing down and totally ignoring me.

This is how I spent Thanksgiving Monday. Saying bye to my son. He had to go back to PEI to school. I hate for him to leave.

Think Pink Photography

2009-10-06T08:27:00.001-03:00

Since October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month I am pleased to announce a partnership with Think Pink Photography.
Think Pink Photography was founded in October 2007 to support individuals and their families who have been touched by breast cancer. We are a charitable organization with two main purposes - celebrating life and supporting the cause.

Through our professional photographer network, we are helping breast cancer patients to celebrate life photography sessions. Individuals may choose to document their fight against the disease before or during their treatment, or prefer to capture their victory by scheduling a session within 12 months after treatment is completed. Photographers world wide are now available to donate their time and talent to celebrate life and support the cause. There is no cost or obligation to the breast cancer patient. Clients participating in a Think Pink Session will receive a complimentary photo session, as well as 10 small prints from the session. They will also receive a discount on additional portraits they wish to purchase, although there is no purchase requirement at any time.

For more information you can contact me or you can visit the Think Pink Photography site at:
thinkpinkphotogrpahy.org

Jessica - 2010 Grad

2009-10-04T09:28:00.000-03:00

Jessica and I met at her school to do senior photos. Jessica was game for whatever location or pose. I like it when people let me experiment.
Hope you enjoy your sneak peak Jess. Thanks for letting me "shoot" you :)

The Walls Come Down

2009-10-02T19:59:00.000-03:00

September 21, 2009

Rural communities are seeing a decline in population. The youth are leaving and the ones who stay are aging. Because of this there are quite a few abandoned buildings.
I took shots of an abandoned church that was set to be tore down. The cemetery club owned this church but due to government cutbacks to grants they were unable to save the building. It was sad to see this church go.

I shot inside the church before it was tore down.

Moving Day

2009-09-25T22:25:00.000-03:00

September 19 & 20, 2009

Well, the time has come. The summer has flown by. My boy has to go back to PEI for his second year at Holland College. It saddens me that he has to leave, that he's no longer 5 years old.

Packed up and ready for the road. Traveling a bit light. No, the tires are for the vehicle not for Jory :)

I asked him if I could take his photo. This is the best that he would give me.

Hello PEI

Ummm hello. The mother is unpacking, sorting and organizing and this is the help that I get. I think that Michael is clapping his hands telling me to put down the camera and get back to work.

Not too shabby of an apartment.

Jory please make your bed. kthanx. Love Mom.

Have to leave. Bye bye PEI

Have a good second year Jory. See you Thanksgiving. Miss you and love you.

Little Miss Baby K

2009-09-24T00:33:00.000-03:00

September 17, 2009

My first newborn shoot. This little one gave me a run for my money. She really made me sweat.

Little Miss K agreed to model the cocoon and hat that I made.

I would like to thank Miss K's parents for the opportunity to photograph their newest addition to their family. You have a beautiful baby :)

I think she's had enough

Mother & Daughter

2009-09-22T22:07:00.003-03:00

September 16, 2009

Mosquito bites is what we got from this session. They were fierce. These two were troopers even though the bites were swelling and looked like welts. We had to make this session short because of the pesky insects. Here is your sneak peak ladies :)
Note to self: add bug spray to my camera bag.

I just love how these two interact with each other. Certainly does not seem like mother and teenage daughter.

Seriously, mother & daughter? More like sisters :)

Their love for one another was so obvious. Thank you D & J for the opportunity to do this session despite the mosquitoes I had a blast.

Yarmouth Air Show, September 13, 2009

2009-09-22T21:59:00.003-03:00

Yarmouth, NS Air Show.
It was an awesome display of aviation. I let loose with my camera and took lots of photos. Probably too many. This year commemorates 100 years of powered flight.

Opening Ceremonies
Sky Hawks

Sky Hawks. I really love these guys.

Heritage Flight.

A couple of shots from the ground.

September 11, 2009

2009-09-11T12:53:00.001-03:00

Take the time today to remember all of those who lost their lives 8 years ago today. Take time to think of all of the lives lost since that day and because of that day.

When you are questioning things in your life.

2009-09-09T00:28:00.004-03:00

These links were posted on a forum that I go on. Get cozy and click on the links in order posted and settle in. It's a long one.

I visit Zack Arias' site quite frequently and seen the first post on Scott Kelby's website back in February. It inspired me that day. But, suffering the winter blues, I suffer from weather depression. I did get perked up thinking if this guy feels the way that I do, wow. Just wow. But then the depression was back the next day.
I really needed this. After having an awful summer that we've had with all of the fog, I really needed this. I was so depressed I was even seriously considering selling all of my gear.
I hope that these links work. I'm new to this. If not you can copy and paste them, but do it in order that I posted.

http://www.zarias.com/?p=284

http://www.zarias.com/?p=388

http://www.zarias.com/?p=440

mmmm blueberries

2009-09-09T00:17:00.003-03:00

Just had to make blueberry grunt, or duff or dough boys or whatever you want to call it. This has to be one of my favorites.

yummy!

Of course when there are blueberries left over, muffins must be made.

I made these when Michael was out fishing. Shhhh don't tell him that I can cook. He's under the impression that I can't boil water :)

Mrs. G's Baby Bump, August 16, 2009

2009-09-09T00:10:00.003-03:00

Mrs. G graciously allowed me to practice maternity shots on her and allowed me to practice on her family. What a beautiful family you have Mrs. G. Thank you for this opportunity. I can't wait to photograph the newest addition.

Mrs. G was game for anything. She didn't bat an eyelash when I armed her children with markers. They were washable and non-toxic.

I asked her if she would put on her bikini and hit the beach with me. Again, game for anything.

It was getting pretty chilly. What a trooper :)

The Cape August 1, 2009

2009-09-08T23:49:00.006-03:00

I visited a little island that is off my little island, the Cape. On this little island is a lighthouse, the Cape Light. It's a beacon that's been around for many years.

Of course our summers are very foggy and that day was not the exception.

In bad need of a paint job.

This place is home to sheep. There are quite a few sheep.

Yeah, they decided not to be friendly.

A little camp.

A ship's wheel washed up on the shore from a shipwreck off the island.

I love beach rocks.

Slack at posting

2009-08-27T00:04:00.006-03:00

I'm so slack.
I started this blog over two months ago and haven't bothered much with it since.
Time to get busy and start blogging.

I Won!!!!

2009-08-26T21:48:00.002-03:00

I entered two photos from the Scott Kelby Photo Walk. One of my images won!! Imagine my surprise when I got the email from our walk leader.

This is the image that won

Scott Kelby Photo Walk Shelburne, NS

2009-08-26T21:44:00.003-03:00

I participated in the 2nd Annual Scott Kelby Photo Walk. This took place in Shelburne, Nova Scotia. Founder's Day was going on this same weekend. There was a Loyalist Landing re-enactment. I thought that I would take a photo journalistic approach.

My Birthday Present

2009-08-26T21:26:00.006-03:00

My birthday was July 13th. Michael told me that my birthday gift will be coming later on that week.
So, that Thursday I was awaken at 6 a.m. to this arriving in my back yard. It's apparently my natural light studio.
I've got a photography wish list that I have listed off many times to Michael. You know, new lenses, filters etc. I mentioned once about a natural light studio. I mentioned several times about new lenses.
Well imagine my surprise.

He is so proud of himself. I guess I should be elated?

I want to cry.

By this point I am sobbing. It's such a mess, but look, it came with it's own broom.

Had to get an excavator to come take it off the trailer. But, first we needed fill.
After a very wet spring and summer the ground was very soft so naturally the dump truck gets stuck.

Not to worry, the excavator will push the dump truck and get it unstuck. Um yeah, the excavator broke down

Two days later the excavator is fixed, the dump truck is no longer a yard ornament and the "studio" is off of the trailer and now blocked up. During this process my lawn got cut up and the excavator went threw a garden. So to get this studio I know have big ruts and dead plants. Turns out this studio is too small. Maybe it I'll use it for a garden shed.

July 1st Clark's Harbour Canada Day Parade

2009-08-26T21:11:00.005-03:00

I just discovered that the images I thought I saved to my external drive are not there. I deleted them off of my internal drive. So, these photos are not the best of quality. I saved them off of my facebook then added them here.

Photo Club Meet-up Vintage Shoot, June 30, 2009

2009-08-26T20:48:00.005-03:00

Our local photo club had a final meet-up before we broke for summer. These 3 lovely young ladies dressed and posed for us. Thanks girls.
Can't wait for the Shelburne County Photo Club to start meeting this fall.

Prom 2009

2009-08-26T20:12:00.013-03:00

I got to shoot Miss S and Mr. N. Their mothers indulged me and let me practice on their kids.
These two were loads of fun. They were up for anything that I came up with and what I didn't think of, they did. I had a blast. These two 2009 Grads were dressed to the nines and looked very, very good. Thanks for the practice.
Good luck with your future endeavors :)

Can't go anywhere without gas

She is so gorgeous

She didn't take me serious when I said that she would be hitchhiking to Prom

Lets play ball!

2009-06-21T19:52:00.000-03:00

Happy Father's Day

I wanted to share a snap of my Dad with my youngest and my oldest. Technically not correct but I love it just the same.

Hobbyist Photographer?

2009-06-21T13:37:00.000-03:00

That would be me. I've been shooting a long time now. Mostly of my 3 children. Since getting my dslr I have become very interested in landscape shooting. I am reading and learning and taking online workshops to take my photography skills to a higher level.

I am new to blogging. I decided to venture in this world of blogging. I'm learning and trying to figure out this new world.

I will be posting my photos as a go along in this photo journey. Watch my fumbles and hopefully watch me improve :)