Telephone Top 5 with Sam

So Sam (my very trusted and wonderful assistant) and I talk pretty much on a regular basis – I’d say we average 45 minutes a day at least and most times we talk is when she’s with her little boy during the day. Trying to keep an eye on Caleb and talking to me on the phone can prove to be a little interesting at times and the things she says to Caleb while on the phone with me are very amusing. Here are the top 5 things she said while on the phone with me today.

1. “I don’t want to wear that”

2. “Up down – Up down

3. “Caleb! Not on the plate!”

4. “Did you go poop?”

5. “Caleb, good lord child that is digusting”

Now whats even more funny is the context in which these things were said – some are obvious but then others are even funnier when you know the story behind them. This list just proves that children are a never ending source of joy and wonder On that note I leave you for the weekend – I was supposed to shoot an engagement session today but we got rained out – let’s hope we have better luck with the wedding tomorrow Have a good weekend everyone!

Shopping Day! Yay!

Ok so not shopping like you might think – I went and picked up a bunch of stuff for the studio and myself that I’ve needed for awhile, kinda happy I got it over with Got three new paper backgrounds and a sheet of plexiglass for the floor as well as another (in a sea of them) memory card – pretty sure I have close to 40gigs now but I am getting ready soon to cycle out a few cards and I wanted a high capacity card for the formals portion of the wedding. I also bought my lens front and end caps that I was missing – now I just have to not loose them before the end of the season – i think this is going to be a very tough goal So here is a photo of the new backdrops and a little area rug I got for baby photos.

I don’t think you actually need to see this but I just wanted to play around and see what the plexiglass was like for the photos. Quite happy so far Brianne will probably get to be the first one to use it on a client though

The next few shots I was playing around with White Balance and Candles – just some silly stuff really but you can see how white balance can really be used to create some funky looks

This one is correct             This is really cool           This one is really warm

This is something I have just really considered trying to play around with, I was always concerned about making white look white but at WPPI I saw some really great photographers but an emphasis on an already really cold and dark sky by using a cooler white balance. We’ll see how that all plays out as far as the photos – I think it would really require the right kind of day to do this. This wedding season is going to be ripe for trying out new techniques, and perfecting the olds ones. Tomorrow I have an engagement session and then Saturday I have a small wedding Should be an interesting weekend – would love to post the engagement photos tomorrow but we’ll see Til then – Amanda

Update 101 Things . . .

Knocked a few things off the list My strategy so far has been to take as many easy things off the list as possible as I know some of the big ones will take a little longer and I am definitely one of those people that like to feel like they are making progress along the way

1. Go on a Wednesday afternoon picnic with my husband and my dog

2. Teach Freddie (my dog) to roll over

3. Go on a trip to Europe

4. Shoot a destination wedding

5. Go on a roadtrip – destination unknown

6. Have lunch or a real conversation with a photographer I admire

7. Make my mind up about having children

8. Buy a new house

9. Set up a home studio in said house

10. Smile more

11. Get my photo taken at least once a month for the next six months ( I never take photos of myself as it’s something I hate)

12. Do a portrait session with my family Completed April 13th – To be displayed in a blog post shortly

13. Do a portrait session with my husband (We don’t have any formal photos since Christmas 2003 unless you count our wedding photos)

14. Participate in a workshop

15. Attend WPPI again but do the Business Institute and Master classes as well

16. Get my business to go in the direction that I want it to with the clients that I want

17. Make sure that this time when I attend WPPI – I go a few days early so I can photograph all the landscapes I want

18. Do at least 5 seniors sessions

19. Donate my time to a local cause using my photography skills

20. Tell my husband one thing that I love about him (that’s different from the day before) every day for a month

21. Be a second shooter for a photographer I admire

22. Plan something great for our wedding anniversary

23. Spend more time with my mother

24. Take my little brother back to Canada’s Wonderland

25. Take my 19 year old brother out to a bar for drinks just the two of us

26. Give everyone of my bride’s a little gift to thank them for the gift they have bestowed upon me

27. Join the chamber of commerce Joined April 24th

28. Donate more money to charities or donate more time

29. Buy lens, end and body caps for all my gear and actually keep them without losing them for an entire wedding season

30. Lose 20 pounds before the end of the year

31. Go out dancing with my best friend Stella’s – April 25th

32. Have a get together with all my brides for the upcoming season

33. Get a few new backdrops for the studio

34. Create a really great mother’s day and father’s day gifts

35. Recover the panels in the office

36. Participate as a vendor in a local bridal show

37. Try thai food

38. Get together with some friends from out of town and catch up

39. Photograph a “first peek” session before the ceremony

40. Become a member of “Now I lay me down to sleep”

41. Deliver all of my brides and grooms their photos online within two weeks of the wedding

42. Quit pop – for good this time (don’t laugh it’s a serious addiction)

43. Swim in the ocean

44. Go fishing (haven’t done this in a long long time)

45. Add 10$ to a savings account every time I complete something on this list

46. Get my full G

47. Take a photo that represents each of the words in the 100 snapshots challenge ( http://thaumaturgise.wordpress.com/101-things/pictures/)

48. Go camping at BYNG

49. Go camping in Algonquin

50. Print some of our wedding photos to hang in our living room

51. Learn conversational Spanish

52. Learn conversational Italian

53. Take Freddie to puppy obedience classes

54. Take a tropical vacation

55. Learn how to snorkel or scuba dive

56. Take photos from the top of a mountain

57. Ride in a helicopter

58. At least three times in this period – push past my fear about something – and climb over the wall to do it anyway (ask me more if you’d like to understand this)

59. Research one new thing I’d like to learn a month – whether photography related or not (and blog about it) for six months

60. Go kayaking again – somewhere picturesque

61. Be a little more risky

62. Get regular pedicures this summer

63. Get regular massages this summer

64. Get signs made for the office

65. Install the fixed phone in the office so that when I lose power on the portable I can still answer calls!

66. Prepare flyers and promotional items for the bridal show

67. Plant the garden in the backyard

68. Dress Freddie (my dog) up for Halloween in a doggie Halloween costume

69. Change phone companies

70. Launch portrait site

71. Blog a video once every two weeks

72. Create an official charging station in the studio

73. Enter 5 photography contests

74. Shoot a “wear the dress” session in my favourite place in Ontario

75. Create a standardized logo file with my logo made to fit samples, envelopes, letterhead etc…

76. Get my hard drives under control

77. Finish MD photo book

78. Delete old and unecessary facebook messages

79. Order new business cards

80. Book a wedding out of province

81. Teach a basics course on how to take better photos

82. Finish office reno

83. Finish this list

84. Get glare free glass for all of my frames

85. Clean out my car – top to bottom and then get a car wash that includes the inside of my car

86. Order sample prints for comparison

87. Create supplier pricing binder & customer pricing binder

88. Order new batteries and charger

89. Go to bed on time more

90. Read more Bukowski

91. Take a cooking class

Niagara Networks

Hello all

I missed my blog post yesterday as we were getting a few things organized here at the studio and because Bryan and I attended “Niagara Networks” which was a networking event through the local Chamber of Commerce. I got to meet a lot of really great people and am looking forward to some of the ideas that came up with certain connections. I realized just how important it is to meet people in the community and get your name out there. So not much to blog about today – spent most of the day in the office – sorting and organizing promotional material as well as working with Brianne on a product catalogue that we are developing. This will make ordering a lot easier for our clients and hopefully stress free for me too!

I had hinted that I would be updating the website and dividing the two aspects of my business before the end of April but alas May is here and I am only a little bit further ahead. I will keep working on it and since it will take me longer I will make sure to include some of the May weddings that I will be shooting. I am looking forward to a full season and can’t wait to share the images with you.

Rainy days and Mondays always get me down

Not normally but I have had a pretty fun filled weekend so I am kinda worn out today but I heard a really funny joke last night on a television special and it made me think of today. I hope I tell it right as it really is funny, unless of course your a police officer and if so I am sorry

“Everyone seems to hate rainy days, I don’t understand why – I love rainy days. Those are the days that I run red lights and don’t stop at stop signs on purpose. Why – do you ask? I just like making the police officer stand in the rain to give me a ticket – I mean it’s my money shouldn’t I spend it in ways that make me happy?”

It was a skit done by Kevin James (i think) shown during the Just for Laughs special. It’s not really a joke but rather a monologue but still funny just the same. This past weekend I went up to Guelph to visit some friends, had a rousing game of Cranium (seriously the best game ever) and then went out to a country bar for the first time in my life. It was definitely interesting but I really wish I would have brought my camera as three of the four of us ended up riding the mechanical bull Guelph is such a pretty place and on Sunday we also took a drive through Fergus. If you ever get the chance to go through there then please do. It feels like you have been transported back through time or flown across the pond to England

Getting away for the weekend was a nice break and one I am not sure to get again for awhile. Next weekend starts the season off with my first wedding of the season. Unfortunately I won’t be able to post the photos as the bride and groom have requested internet privacy but I am looking forward to it all the same

Hopefully you are all well and rested after the weekend and are enjoying the rainy day as much as I am Just remember that after a good rain like this the blooms start to really come out

Song lyrics – smells, sounds and tastes

Isn’t it funny that in photography we are always talking about recreating a moment so that you can keep it forever, but it’s not just photographs that make us remember. It’s the smells, the sounds and sometimes the taste associated with different times in our life that can remind us as well. One of my favorite lines in a book is from “The Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood” (by Rebecca Wells – amazing read – definitely should read this if you haven’t. Rebecca portrays emotions with similes the way no other author I’ve ever read does) and the main character was talking about her mother and she says (of her mother) “She used to say she could taste sleep and that it was as delicious as a BLT on fresh French bread” This is just an example again of how we associate things of joy with tastes, smells and sounds. I was actually thinking about this today as I drove to my friend Jayme’s house as during the drive a particular song came on and it reminded me of how much I love my husband. Then I thought about this and remembered smelling the same perfume that I wore during my wedding day and it brought be back. Nothing brings me back to my childhood better than the smell of cotton candy or that three colour neopolitan taffy. I can actually imagine the store just up the street where my friends and frittered away all of the change we could weedle out of family or got for our birthdays. When I hear wind chimes I think of the years growing up going to the cottage every summer and spending the whole day in my bathing suit, when I smell bonfires I think of camping trips gone by and roasting marshmallows. I think I am going to make it a goal of mine this wedding season to associate something with each bride and groom – perhaps a song and then play it on their wedding day to remind myself of why I am so happy to be there and what it is I like about them Sorry for the ramble – I tend to get all introspective and emotional after talking with Jayme I enjoyed visiting her this afternoon and it was nice to be around someone who has such a positive outlook – while still being realistic So to leave you for the day I will leave you with the lyrics to the song that touched me on the way to her house …

“Easy Silence”

When the calls and conversations
Accidents and accusations
Messages and misperceptions
Paralyze my mind

Busses, cars, and airplanes leaving
Burning fumes of gasoline
And everyone is running
And I come to find a refuge in the

Easy silence that you make for me
It’s okay when there’s nothing more to say to me
And the peaceful quiet you create for me
And the way you keep the world at bay for me
The way you keep the world at bay

Monkeys on the barricades
Are warning us to back away
They form commissions trying to find
The next one they can crucify

And anger plays on every station
Answers only make more questions
I need something to believe in
Breathe in sanctuary in the

Easy silence that you make for me
It’s okay when there’s nothing more to say to me
And the peaceful quiet you create for me
And the way you keep the world at bay for me
The way you keep the world at bay

Children lose their youth too soon
Watching war made us immune
And I’ve got all the world to lose
But I just want to hold on to the

Easy silence that you make for me
It’s okay when there’s nothing more to say to me
And the peaceful quiet you create for me
And the way you keep the world at bay for me

The easy silence that you make for me
It’s okay when there’s nothing more to say to me
And the peaceful quiet you create for me
And the way you keep the world at bay for me
The way you keep the world at bay for me
The way you keep the world at bay

Another great quote from Rebecca Wells – Divine Secrets “We all have our best guides within us, if only we would listen” I am going to try and listen more to myself and less to the negative voices on the outside

So tired .. but happy

So I don’t have photos to post today as I spent the whole day editing, sorting, printing, ordering, and doing general catching up. Today though I really got a chance to be thankful. This time two years ago I was in a job I disliked strongly (very politically correct vs what I would really like to say) and dreading waking up every day. Here I am having just put in a 10 hour day today and I have to say – I have really enjoyed myself. The time really flew by because I was having fun. Running your own business isn’t easy but it’s worth it to do what you love. I am thankful to my husband for being so supportive of this leap and let’s cross our fingers that both of our businesses continue to do well in the future

Got a little something . . .

Ok so Monday will bring some new but I went with a friend and got a little something today . . . Can’t wait to show it you since (if you read this blog) this will be a little something for you too That’s if you like peering into my mind, which can sometimes be a scary place Details to come Monday

pssst are you thinking to yourself right now “She’s just posting this teaser to use it as a blog post and knock one off the list” Well that’s a terrible though and what’s even more terrible = your right

Have a good weekend everyone!

Friday afternoon excitement . . . the countdown begins!

Nope not really exciting – the weekend is more exciting This weekend is going to go a long way to help my anxiousness to start the new wedding season. I have been jumping out of my skin to be able to start the season as I love all of my couples this year – we’ve been lucky enough to be asked to shoot some really wonderful people at some great locations. So this weekend we’ll be out shooting two of these couples engagement photos. The first up is Kara and Jaimie – Kara found me through Erin – whom I made friends with at Brandie & Pat’s wedding last November. I had actually met her before but never really got the chance to talk to her and then at Brandie & Pat’s wedding we got along great and even better Randi (who was assisting me at the time) and her were doubled over, laughing for most of the night. So Erin, worked with Kara at a local high school and the rest is history. I’m so excited to shoot this couple even though I have only ever met Kara. Jaimie is in a band and from what I’ve heard – very talented. They both seem fun and creative and I can’t wait to see what their engagement shoot will bring.

Then there is Annie & Rob – these two are hilarious and remind me very much of myself and my husband. They both like to tease each other and poke fun and this should make for great portraits. Annie saw my work on facebook when I photographed Krystle’s wedding this past January. Her and Rob will be getting married at the Queen’s Landing in NOTL next December so we’ll be heading out that way for the engagement photos as well.

I have 16 days until my first wedding (just a few hours coverage though) and 30 days until my first full day wedding. The month of May is going to be crazy but I am looking forward to it Sorry no photos on my blog today but perhaps if I get to make a trip across the border this weekend I’ll have more than just engagement photos to show you

Have a good weekend!

Keeping You Updated…

It’s Brianne again,

I feel that because I’m here with Amanda doing a Co-op that I should be willing to keep you updated on what is going on. Well first of all, I would like to catch everyone up on where I stand with the photoshoots I have had. So far I have taken 6 photoshoots with 6 or more different clients and they have all turned out more than I could have imagined. My first photoshoot was with Kendra, and I couldn’t have asked for a better model to do my first photoshoot with. She was patient, outgoing and very fun to work with. She laughed the whole time and it made me feel very relaxed. Below are some pictures from her shoot.

My second photoshoot was a complete change from the first one I had done because Morgan was looking for some glamour/head shots of herself. We experimented with the lighting many times and when we finally got it right, the pictures turned out great. Below are some pictures of Morgan.

Following Morgan, Sheena came into the studio with her husband and her two children wishing for family portraits. I got pictures of her son, her daughter, her children together, her husband with her son and herself with her daughter but most importantly I got the whole family together. They were so pleasant to work with and you can really feel the love they have for eachother when they walked into the room. Here are some of my favorite photos of the shoot.

When Tina had contacted me about a photoshoot, I was pleased to know that she wanted more of a glamour feeling to her photos which got me excited because that’s more of the kind of photography I want to get into. Tina was great to work with, she knew how to move her body so it was flattering for herself and when it turned out in the photo. For this shoot, I got to experience alot with props and composition and lighting. I was so excited to see how the photos would turn out for this shoot, and I love everyone of them. Here are just a few to show you guys.

Finally, I get to tell you about my first on-site shoot. It was the day before that we decided to go out and we needed to find a model and that’s when Keira rose to the challenge. We all went to the old CN yard because there are many places and opportunities for fantasic photos. Amanda wanted to do an on-site shoot to teach me more about off camera lighting and the effects it can have when we’re outside or moving from location to location. That day I got to practice, more than ever, off camera lighting and composition. I have to say, up to now, even after doing another photoshoot, this had to be my favorite shoot of them all because I absolutely loved the way the pictures turned out and the experience itself. Below are a few of my favorites of that day.

Another one of my favorite shoots was with Traci, a good friend of mine of many years and her friend Marcie. It was one of my favorites because I wasn’t nervous at all, I was completely relaxed because I knew we’d all have fun with it. The kind of shots that we ended up with, weren’t the kind shots I expected to get, they were even better. So here are some of the shots of that day.

My last shoot that I have done was yesterday with Sarah. She was an energetic little girl who loved playing with all the props we gave her. Her favorite I still think was the mirror. She absolutely loved looking at herself and tapping on it, it was so adorable. Here are jus ta few shots of the day because all of them are not edited yet.

Well if you did read this whole blog and thought it was boring, sorry, but after my shoots, I will keep everyone updated and I promise to make it much shorter.

Until next time,
Brianne