How Old Are You?

We sat on a bench looking at the river, and he asked me how old I was.  It was a dreary Fall or Spring day, I can't remember which, but I remember wearing rubber boots and a heavy jacket.  "I'm 7, how old are you?" "Well" he replied, "I'm 6, but someday, I'll be older than you." 

I've known my Cousin Scott all my life, and we have shared many stages of our lives together, but, I've never seen him happier in life than he has been in the past year.  No coincidence, the biggest smile emerged the night he walked out of labor and delivery with Chance in his arms for the very first time.

Here is Aimee and Scott and Chance, just a day after his 1st Birthday back in March.

This one, it might qualify as one of my most favorite photos ever.  It's more than just a picture, it's the emotion, the love, the joy.  This boy is blessed with two wonderful parents who share so much joy in his life.  Anyone who has spent time with them knows what I mean.  So much love.

So Scott, you still haven't surpassed me in age, but I'm thinking that's not as much as a priority these days! :)

Skyway Bridge

Early this morning, with my coffee throwing steam, and the day looking gloomy out my window, I sat down at my desk with my favorite blanket curled tight around my legs.  I opened up my itunes player and went straight to Melissa McClelland, and while Skyway Bridge and Brake and Glenrio and all the others played, I edited.
Her vintage style, clean vocals and romancing words influenced every little bit of everything I am today.

Catalogue Feature - Books and Accordions.

As a part of my "blog at least once a week" resolution, I've decided to add a few themes or topics that will reoccur occasionally.  This is one of them!  Catalogue Feature, will highlight different products that I have available to order.

These books make such great presents and little surprises for loved ones and friends.

The accordions remind me of my grandmother and the little faux wallet that she carried around and showed anyone who would look.  She would open the snap and the photos would come sailing out of it, she treasured that bundle of pictures as much as she treasured us, they were all dog eared and cracked and creased and anytime she opened it when we were around, she'd say, "wish I had one that was more recent."

Included in this order was a large accordion book (4x80 , and 2 different sized photo books, the 5x5 and the 8x8.  They were custom designed by yours truly!

If this is something that you'd like to add on to your photo shoot, please let me know, I'm happy to design something especially for you!!!

This is something that can be ordered at anytime, if you have had a session with me, and would like to purchase one of these designs, please, just get in touch and I can make arrangements!


Here are some pictures of the accordion!

And the soft covered books...

Method, Quaker and a wee little bit of yoga

Aside from family and friends and all the standard safe answers, I just really wanted to share what I've been in love with for the past few months.

1.

Method, ok, this is not a new love afair, if you know me, you know I love this company, and their products. Between Christmas & New Years, a FedEx truck showed up in my driveway, I hadn't ordered anything, so was perplexed when they dropped off a package for me.

Inside was one of their hand soap pumps with the holiday flavor of Fir, coupons and a note addressed to "Dear person against dirty".  It was a thank you, a gift to thank me for my support over the year.    On my recent  move, I realized just how many bottles of different products I had [hoarded] stashed away,  the most wonderful part is that it got me thinking about how important it is to show my appreciation to my clients.  I'm quite certain that I'll have more to share on that thought later this year.

2.
(a)Henry's, and their ability to spend my money while I thank them!  Seriously, I started shopping Henry's in the last 6 months for anything I've needed photographically speaking.  I have shopped online and was even able to make it into the store in Dartmouth Crossing last fall.  If you are in the market for anything camera or picture taking related, shop Henrys!  If you can get to the Dartmouth Crossing shop, ask for Danique, she is particularly good at shopping and has great practical advice for anything you may be looking for.  Their customer service is above and beyond anything I've experienced in the world of camera stuff!

(b)Off Camera Flash.  My latest Henry's purchase, a light stand, umbrella and off camera flash triggers.  Seriously fun, and oh so intriguing, I have so much to learn, and I am grateful for these cold wintery nights to do just that!

3.
Walking.  Ok, I set a goal.  I am keeping track of my journey and have my first goal set at 100 miles.  today, I surpassed the 1/4 way mark. I've been walking 2 miles each day.  It's been cold, and it's been wet, and it has been painful, but now, I find my body craving it.  Not just me, but my doggie pal Harley.  He is pretty good for motivating me to get going, he pushes me for the first mile and I push him the second.  I wouldn't dare go out without my [cracked] ipod, and wouldn't be caught outside without my hand knitted hat and fingerless mitts.  I picked these up in Halifax, at my cousin Krista's yoga boutique, Bhavana.  Her Mom knits them and sells them amongst the yoga clothes & accessories, aromatherapy oils and a ton of other holistic products.  Please check her shop out if you are in Halifax, it's above the Heartwood Bakery on Quinpool Road.

4.
I know what you're saying... "How original, a photographer who loves coffee" & while yes, that is very true, I do love coffee, I think I love my keurig machine, just a little bit more than the coffee itself.  It brews a mean cup.  It's not messy, it's quick, and I use it for tea and also for hot water, and for my quick oats in the morning.  I also Love Love Love these new mugs.  They are giants and so comfy in my hand, I even use them for soup!

5.
This, is the most embarrassing of all my loves though.  I have, for as long as I can remember, hated oatmeal.  I couldn't get over the gummy sticky texture.  I started reading about how good it can be for me, and I thought I'd give it a go.  It had been about 10 years, I wanted to see if my tastes had developed any over the years.  I have been missing out, on good things, for a lot of years... oatmeal is one of them.  I've been adding in a tiny splash of maple syrup, blueberries, blackberries, granola and craisins.

Sooo, those are some of the things I've been loving lately, Hope I've inspired you to appreciate the little things in your life.  Things that make your day run smooth, things that make you feel good about yourself and the road you are heading down!  I would love to hear if you are loving any of the same things I am, or maybe have some suggestions for new things for me to try.

Old Friends

"Keeping in touch is one thing we won't have to worry about" is what she wrote in my high school year book, the year we graduated together.

You see, I've known her all of my life, and she's family, but, we're not just family, I think a cool mixture of family/friend/sister mixed in there.  

Oh dear, we've grown up, but the years have been pretty good, I think, packed with a million memories and three hundred million laughs, and we still don't have to worry about keeping in touch!

Thank you Amy, to you, and your beautiful family.  Thank you for being a constant in my life, and for trusting me to shoot your family.