Can you imagine being 2?   . . . and feeling joy and belonging?  . . . with parents that understand play and exploration matter more than getting some dirt on your dress?    Who delight in what a funny, strange person you are?

You live in a place where two talented, thoughtful people have invested their personalities, their smarts, their creativity and their attitudes into making your world rich, fun, safe and loving.   Being 2 is amazing.    This is how remarkable people are made . . .

This is what it looks like to love, laugh, learn and develop your unique talents.   I frequently get this front row seat for an ongoing workshop series on how to be incredible parents.

No staged studio sets,  no “smile for the camera”,  no stereotyped image of what some marketer has defined as a happy family.   These are the real, quirky, natural photos I most love to capture.   When I look at them 5 years from now, I won’t say, “That’s so 2010″   –>  I’ll say,  “That’s so them”.

. . . and a slideshow video, showing part of the session:

This family’s closeness and their visible care and interest in each other are compelling and moving to me.  Janelle called me to arrange a family session as a gift for her dad.   A high school student, paying for and organizing a professional family lifestyle session because she knew it would be a meaningful gift for her dad and her family.   Wow.

At every turn, there were more happy surprises like that.   From the shared family inside jokes to their sense of fun, the undercurrent that each child is valued for their unique selves; to the open-hearted welcome and inclusiveness for the newest family member, Tracey.   This is Belonging.

What strikes me 1st is that they are both comfortable in their own skin.   . . . at ease being themselves with others.

Everyone should have a friend like Mike.   Someone who is open and honest and has your best interests at heart.  He’ll tell you what you need to hear, which is often different from what you want to hear.   . . . . and when you look back on it, you’re glad he did.   Som’s first experience of Mike was like that.   Those qualities that raised caution in her early on became the things she loved about him.   Truthful and open.  Caring.  Doing what’s right (vs what’s comfortable).

I watched Som greeting her patients one afternoon (Som and Mike are Naturapathic Doctors).   She radiated welcome, caring, friendliness and familiarity.   I’d seen all of that in our previous conversation but being an observer was like seeing her turned up 2 notches!

That’s the excitement of engagement and wedding photography for me.   2 people I admire joining and making each person better, stronger, healthier.   The power of mutual appreciation, support and inspiration.    . . .  and a soul mate epitomizes that power of relationships for all of us.

Som’s idea – silhouettes – I love it! :

The slideshow video of their session:

Andrew and Pam are friends with my 1st wedding couple, Jen and Jeff.

These 2 met years ago on the set of a church video production and photo session – where they couldn’t speak to each other – all quiet on the set.  A few years later, Pam was training Andrew to replace her in a position at the church.  .  .  . which led to a few dates.

Remember when you were 18, 20, 22 – staying up nights with friends,  solving the world’s problems,  talking about what really matters?     These 2 never stopped, I think.    They’re still learning, growing, thinking, striving to be more.

At 30, they are both going all-in to start anew and live by their convictions and ideals – living for meaning and caring for others.   They are at the same college, studying and training for ministry.

Pam – those eyes!!  . . . . . . I cannot wait to photograph you in your wedding dress! :

I had a small case of nerves before starting their engagement session.    . . . . Will I make some connection with them?   There’s a social ease that comes with knowing I am on the same page as my couple.   . . . . all of us knowing what’s most important to make their wedding experience great.    . . . . all of us knowing what’s most important for their photography.

We can’t be strangers or they would never trust me enough to be open, emotional and unselfconscious on their wedding day.

There was no need for me to worry.

Pam and Andrew have a dynamic together and I can picture it in the future with them working together as a team.   Andrew is joking and playing and genuinely funny, breaking the ice;  making you welcome and comfortable right away.   Pam is calm, almost meditative, very perceptive – a listener who is understanding.

Both are caring and personable in such different ways!  . . . . and they’re both very aware of those differences and they appreciate each other for them.    [that's not normal]

A slideshow of their session:

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/headshots/singer-songwriter-michael-kelly-cavan/ http://studiojphotography.ca/headshots/singer-songwriter-michael-kelly-cavan/#comments Sat, 17 Apr 2010 21:09:19 +0000 Jay http://studiojphotography.ca/?p=1237

Had great fun doing promo photos with Michael.   He’s just totally relaxed and being himself, which is genuine, funny and down to earth.   Two things really stand out to me about him.  First, his performing persona is not flashy;  it’s real.   Like you’re just having an inviting, personable conversation with him around the kitchen table.

.. and second, he has this collaborative, sharing, supporting others kind of attitude and philosophy.  He’s interested in the development and success of other musicians and artists.

A group of young friends were hanging out on the dock on Silver Lake and shared their space with us.  It was a beautiful night at sunset.   . . . and I was shooting portraits of Michael as he played a private concert for us on the lake.   What a great experience and memory.

Michael’s website:   michaelkellycavan.com

I had a fun afternoon session with Cathie and her headshots convey the same character I experienced in person:   lively, professional, friendly and fun.    A big thank you to Michael, who is a total natural at lighting key grip and stylist duties.   I really enjoyed hanging out with you two!

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.