Cinemagraphs, A Sample

I first heard of cinemagraphs through www.stumbleupon.com, they are not pictures, not movies, but a merge of both. 


They are interesting, haunting and beautiful all at once. There are amazing examples of cinemagraphs all over the internet, and I am adding to the lot. By no means is this beautiful or amazing, but I'd love to try something like this with some of my muses.  Keep an eye out, there may be more picture innovation to come!

Movember

Recently someone my world was touched by prostate cancer. Fortunately, they received the best version of some very bad news; the diagnosis was early, thanks to diligent yearly physicals.


I'm extremely grateful for awareness campaigns like Movember, because not everyone is as lucky, or as diligent during their yearly check-ups. 


Here's to hoping that this Movember a few men in your life decide to make a statement larger than a moustache - make an appointment, get a physical and stay on top of your health. Be well.

Also.....in honour of this Movember, a few people in my neighbourhood are sporting some sweet 'staches!  My muse was not impressed with the 'stache, but Miss K sported it like a champ!

It took us months to perfect her Burt Reynolds impression. I think it paid off.

My fake ID says I'm 45 - what do you think? Think I can pass for 45?

You know you're a professional when you can rock the moustache. She is smizing.

Rhett Butler impression not as widely enjoyed as Burt Reynolds impression.

When you're hanging out on the lawn of the Senior's Center, you have to dress the part.

Frankly mom, I don't give a damn.

Dia-beet-us

Sneak Peak.....Emily and Family

Facebook is a funny thing. I hate it, I love it. What I love is that it can seemingly bring people together when they need to connect. 

Early this year my childhood friend, whom I hadn't seen since grade 11, had a baby.  Through Facebook we connected over new babes and.....surprise....we still lived 15 minutes away from each other; 2 (blissful!) hours from our hometown.  


We we born 8 days apart. Our kids were born exactly 5 months apart. Through her, I started to connect with her sister, who is hilarious, warm, funny and the provider of amazingly entertaining Facebook content. 


Today I met up with these dear sisters and took some shots of Emily's sweet family. Miss A was a bundle of energy and was an amazing helper to keep the shoot going smoothly. Thanks for all the help Miss A!



















  Thanks for making the trip Emily, was wonderful to see you!

The Full Suite: Mr J.

We have a lot of J babies up in here lately. I like to think that people whose names start with J are better all-round human beings.  Am I right?


Well Mr J was born over a month ago, I posted a sneak peek and then immediately stopped blogging and spending all night, every night editing photos. I finally finished tonight and I hope you love them as much as I do.


Mr J was born 5 weeks premature, but with a full head of perfect hair. This little guy was awash with kisses and cuddles through out the shoot - it was a really beautiful shoot to share with this new family.


Here are some favourites of mine, hope that they were worth the wait!

Failing to succeed

I failed at my 31 day project.

My 31 day project goal was to be more mindful and present for the month of October. For the first two weeks or so, I planned out and took a picture for my 365 project. I would then edit a few of those pictures for my blog. From there, I would think up and write content for my 31 day project blog entry, before I posted it all for the world to see (and by 'see' I mean worship and revere.).

Once all of these Promethian tasks were done it would be 11:30. My husband would be urging me to go to bed or to eat dinner, while I grunted responses to his questions.

And then the irony hit me. I couldn't actually be present if I was working so hard to document the process of being present; so, I abandoned my '31Day' project.

I failed and, by failing, I succeeded. It was completely eye opening to see how much time I was spending online.

I like to throw myself into things with obsessive zeal. Sometimes I focus on finishing a task at the expense of something else. I usually outsource the voice of reason to my husband. "You don't need to do as much", "sit and relax", "maybe you should stop and go to bed".

I want to do more, he wants me to be reasonable.

It was through the 31 day challenge that I was forced to see that I needed to develop these barriers for myself.

So, I have set up rules for my 365 project:
1. Take a picture each day
2. Adopt a theme for each week to help with inspiration
3. Consolidate the best pictures in a weekly post
4. Set blogging nights when husband out playing hockey
5. Edit and work in the office to avoid spending life on computer

All of this is to say that I will be blogging less, but let's be frank with each other for a moment.....this is really the best for both of us. I get to write less and spend more time with my dear, sweet husband and child.....and you don't get inundated with my rambling blog posts.

So....in honour of being present, my theme for this week is.....memories. I'll be posting a few pics this weekend. Enjoy!

Happy Halloween Morning....

Antic-i....





....pation.

Pumpkin Patch

Nothing says fall like a visit to the pumpkin patch. We headed out to Bry-Anne's Pumpkin Patch in St Catharines this weekend and had an amazing time. 


Pumpkins, hay rides, farm animals, a hay maze and a sand box filled with corn kernels. Could you ask for anything more? Well, yes, from my perspective; Indoor plumbing, radiant heating and less mud to name a few.  From my muse's perspective; nothing.


We started with a hay ride - it was a bit traumatic for all of the adults on-board; all of the children loved it. Why did they love it? Maybe it was the mud, or the pitching of the tractor, my guess is that it was the possibility that they may be thrown overboard at any minute.


This post is pretty picture heavy, but you don't mind, do you?

















































 

Inspired and Honoured

Okay...I have something to announce.
I've been keeping it secret until I was able to get a few things in place. I had to get a proofing gallery set up, set up my studio office in our basement and....can you guess what my announcement is?


No, I'm not quitting my job to do this full time.....it  has to do with this post.....OK the anticipation is killing me.I am so honoured and pleased to announce that I was selected and approved to be an Inspiration Through Art photographer. I'm giddy, touched, excited and looking forward to my first session, and all future sessions.

What is Inspiration Through Art?

Inspiration Through Art (Formerly the Littlest Heroes Project) runs a few different programs.  The program that I am participating in provides free photo sessions for children and youth (aged infant - 21) who have been affected with any type of serious illness or disability. 

What Does The Photo Session Include?

I will provide a free sitting for the session and will donate images and/or prints of each little hero and their family. Families will also be provided with a link to a private site, so they can share all the images from their session with friends and family.  

Finally, I will also feature their story and a few images on my blog. I come to you or you can come to me, we can even do a hospital shoot if required.  Each session is about 1-2 hours. Click here to see a sample session from a photographer that I love.

I Know Someone Who Would Be Perfect For This!

If you know someone who would be deserving of this gift, all they need to do is apply through Inspiration Through Art.  The application can be found by clicking this link. Once an application is approved (usually a little over a week) you are free to contact your photographer of choice - pick me, pick me!

All of Inspiration Through Art's services are free to the participants, as a way of giving back to the smallest of heroes. 

Who Is Eligible for Inspiration Through Art Services? 

Any child or young person (Infant-21) that is currently fighting or has fought or suffers from any of the following: Autism, Alopecia, AIDS, Bell’s Palsy, Cancer,Chiari Malformation,Cystic Fibrosis, Cerebral Palsy, CHD,Childhood Stroke, Servere Diabetes, Down Syndrome, HIV,Immune System disorders and diseases, Kidney Disease, Muscular Dystrophy, Neurocutaneous Syndromes, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, Shaken Baby Syndrome, Sickle Cell Anemia, Spina Bifida, Tay-Sachs Disease, and other serious childhood illnesses 

And...because a post isn't a post without some pics.....here are some oldies, but goodies!

*insert girly squeal here*

even grumpy babies need love....

just in time for Movember......