Mallory, Courtney and Madison trekked into the bush, over hills, rocks and gullies – all in their sandals! – to create some sweet images for their mom.  I was completely impressed and appreciative that they were up for serious hiking and had the perfect attitude to get this done.   These 3 laugh easily together and show a natural closeness, without coaching.

Mallory used to go to Silverlake summer camp, where my daughter Kayla went.   . . . . yes, they’re still jumping in the cold lagoon before breakfast every morning!   Thanks for pulling this all together Mallory!

Courtney is at my old school – Brock.   I wish she could have experienced Alphie’s Trough, the best campus pub ever  ( a beautiful ski lodge style building in the woods on the Niagara escarpment ).   Sadly, they turned it into a faculty lounge ( Booooooo!!).   So glad Mallory nudged you into unleashing your hair Courtney!

Madison has a totally infectious grin and attitude.   She radiates good humour.   She could read a phone book and make me laugh.

A slideshow of their session:

There was a crowd –> 6 of us hanging out at my studio for Jill’s fitness session.   Jill’s amazing trainer, Lorne King of Absolute Health and Fitness was there.  . . . . . and 3 photographer friends came out to help me with on location studio lighting (and some extra gear!).   Thank you so much John, Rene, and Heather !

She’s not only full of energy, up for anything and fun to photograph,  Jill is amazingly kind and always doing things for others.  Thanks for a really cool session Jill !

No steroids.   Lots of raw foods.   Mostly vegetarian diet.   Weights 3 times a week with King Lorne.   Lots of cardio.   Incredible focus on training and diet.  = G. I.  Jill

Clients become friends.   . . . . friends you can ask for help.   Here’s some photos from my friend Aaron’s headshot session.   When my partner Denise had a job interview approaching with RIM, she wanted an inside scoop on how to prepare (she’s smart that way).    I called on Aaron, who has done his share of interviews, looking for the right people for his team at RIM.   . . . .  could Denise ask some questions?  . . . get some interview tips and advice?

He gladly offered tips and advice  . . . . and then some.   A few days after their 1st conversation, Aaron was on the phone again, this time running a mock phone interview for her.    Real help.  Practical advice.  Good information.   .  .  .  .  and a good chunk of his time, freely given, at the drop of a hat.
That didn’t lead to the RIM position.   . . . . but it prepared her well for that RIM interview  . . . .  which prepared her well for another interview . . . .  more on that below!

When Denise’s position as a hardware engineer (designing circuit boards for industrial automation networks) ended several months ago, we were worried.   Our friends, Julie and Bruce were there, the moment they heard about it.   Offering help and advice.   Access to a professional network.  Helping her focus on positive, practical, effective steps.   Instead of fear.    I saw that same level of thoughtful initiative, when I 1st opened my portrait studio and Julie said, “we want to be your first clients.”    Here’s my favourite from that 1st session as a pro:

There is something special about helping someone with these important parts of our lives.   Our livelihood,   our health,  our family.   I’m not naming everyone who has helped here.    ….. just saying,  cheers to you, my friends, your help and support means a great deal to me.

. . . . and where all this is leading . . . .   my engineer will be designing again – software and circuits – this time with locomotives and the train industry.  Congratulations Denise!!   It sounds like a great position and a really cool company with a great attitude.
Here she is without an engineer’s cap (where will I find one of those?):

]]> http://studiojphotography.ca/portraits/clients-and-friends/feed/ 1 http://studiojphotography.ca/portraits/kitchener-waterloo-maternity-photography/ http://studiojphotography.ca/portraits/kitchener-waterloo-maternity-photography/#comments Thu, 25 Mar 2010 16:37:00 +0000 Jay http://studiojphotography.ca/?p=1152

My friend Rebecca came in for some pregnancy portraits.   It was too cold out to try the outdoor location pictures I have been aching to do —> so we stuck to the studio portion only.   Maternity photographers often work year round in the studio exclusively.   I have so many ideas I want to play with outside too!    . . . . glad the warm weather is arriving.

These sensual belly photos are posted with permission.

Maternity portraits are about celebrating and remembering this new chapter in your life as a happy, expectant mother.

Thank you so much Rebecca for being my bumpy supermodel!   Your beauty as a pregnant woman is captivating.

I have to pass on this tip to pregnant women:   Rebecca has this bulging belly without a single stretch mark!    Her secret?  . . . . . olive oil, applied like a moisturizer.

Dave and Anne had a family session on Saturday – the day they were married.   I was not so secretly hoping the weather forecast would be wrong – NOPE – rain and 60km/hour winds!   We stayed inside while wet furniture tumbled across back yards outside.

These parents are the kind that join in on imaginary games – that build cushion and blanket forts with the kids – so we were OK inside.

Hope you have a great time in Barbados guys!

I dug this 2008 session out of the archives this week when Rajivi asked for some prints.   Two things really grab my attention about these photos.  …… 2 years later …..   1st, my portrait style has changed and I rarely pose people anymore.   …. and 2nd, that I still love these – and I mark that down to how fun, easy-going and loving these 3 are.   I asked Rajivi and Sam what their secret was for having a 4 year old boy who was remarkable – friendly – considerate – sociable – interested – articulate and very secure  –

….. their answers stayed with me because I could see what they were doing in their everyday interactions.    1st was for him to know (all the time) that he is loved.   …. and next was treating him with a level of respect and interaction that most people only give to other adults.

…. and their slideshow video:

All of the families were over for the holidays   ….. so …. extended family portraits!

I was thrilled when Deb told me they wanted these out in the snow!  These are so much more natural and real than a studio backdrop.   I crack a giant grin, knowing that a group of 19! people can be this easy going and up for something non-traditional.  That’s how they roll!

Thanks you guys. You made the whole day fun and interesting!

From tropics to snow.  ….   As families go, these guys were much like teenagers, joking and singing/playing around the campfire.   This is what I miss most from my old place in the country.

Thanks you guys for doing something cool that reminded me of so many good times!  …. and for later, when you lived through my most air-headed moments with patience and good humour!

Clients often hear me talk about reserving the studio only for the styles of images that call for a very simple look or special lighting.    ….. and I usually say that’s not what I recommend for them!

So when do I shoot in the studio?  Modeling and fashion style images often call for a studio session.  Images on a pure white or pure black background (or any single colour) are best done in the studio.  …. and frequently, commercial style or advertising style images are often best suited to studio photography.

For this studio session, we were trying for other looks beyond the warm, cheerful tone that defined Elisa’s outdoor session .   If you watch the video at the bottom of this post, you’ll see that the other looks are actually brief interludes between her infectious smile!

Elisa was also my 1st live shoot (after lots of testing) with my new favourite studio lighting approach.  I love it!!   ….. I have tested this light setup on location since this session – and I’m happy to report that I can now bring this soft, dimension sculpting light right into your living room!

work it Elisa!! :

……. and back to some of my former favourite studio lighting:

…. and the studio session slideshow video:

Kara is down to earth, casual and just random – which makes for the most fun and easy going portrait session.  We slipped this one in just before the 1st snow.    5 degrees celsius and she looks comfortable, warm and relaxed!

Brent joined us and helped out with the session.  He was also completely relaxed and natural right from the 1st shot:

Yeah!!:

I honked my horn behind them – and they immediately knew to turn left at the intersection and race into the parking lot – so we could run across the street for this! :

Thanks Kara and Brent for a fun, free-wheeling session!

The session video: