Dance Parties & Natural Rubber Non-Toxic Assistants

This week has hands down been the busiest week of the year for me. My head is spinning with three consecutive to-do lists at all times, and it's hard for me to stop thinking about work even as my head hits the pillow.

How do I keep going? I have this playlist on my iTunes with a dozen songs that I can't help but move to. Whenever I get tired, or just before a session, I crank the "Move it!" playlist and dance around the loft for a solid ten minutes to get my energy back up. It began as a necessary thing to do... but I have to confess I've done it a few times this week just for the heck of it. You should try it sometime!

WELL. It's time I fess up and admit that sometimes (well okay, a lot of times), it's not just me evoking the smiles and giggles from gurgling babies. I have an assistant whose name is Sophie. Funny enough, I never really "hired" her myself... but she comes included with about 99% of families that arrive at the studio with a young baby. She's brilliant with kids. If only she could edit!!

A little midnight pick-me-up

I usually don't blog much when it comes to my personal life, but I just laughed so hard I have to share it with the whole world. I was sitting here swamped with editing and holiday card designing, and a friend of mine dinged me on Messenger with something funny her husband said to her tonight.

And I'm just all about sharing smiles & laughter. So here's how the conversation went:

Her: I'm going downstairs, you want anything from there?
Him: I have a small request.
Her: Shoot.
Him: Can you please get me some ice cream... but the important thing is that you have to get me teenie spoon. You know, that little spoon. I always eat ice cream with that small spoon.
Her: Ok... Teeny spoon. Got it. So how much ice cream do you want?
Him: The whole tub, please.

I kid you not. I know them too well to doubt any part of that conversation. I should add this man is like 6'2. Did you spit-laugh on your monitor, too? :)

My Daylight Savings Shoot

Today I met Aiden and Liam for a shoot. Mum & Dad were worried that Liam would be very timid but this little cookie turned into an instant ham for me and breezed on right through the session. Aiden suffered a little because his nap schedule didn't really agree with the daylight savings switch, but I think we managed quite well, all things considered!

When I'm photographing families, I try to do more than photograph what they look like; I want to be able to show what it feels like to be a part of this family. I must have hit the target with these folks because I was smiling ear to ear while going over their portraits... have a peek! Can you feel how much fun they are??













This is where we started to lose Aiden... I just can't resist that baby drama! After that shot though was the moment that made me bust a gut at the session. When Aiden started to lose it, we asked Liam if he could make Aiden laugh, and he happily obliged.. but to no avail! That's when he threw his arms up and gave me that "Sorry! Can't help you!" look, which made me laugh so hard I think Liam might think I'm a little crazy now!

It ain't over till it's over!

Well, just when I thought Halloween was over & done with, my neighbor Amy tells me about the Pumpkin Parade that happens every year at Sauroren Park in Parkdale where hundreds of people bring over their pumpkins and put them out to line the park. How awesome is that??? I didn't think twice; grabbed my camera and hopped in the car to go check it out. There were over 1200 pumpkins there!

So if you missed it this year, here's a peek of it through my eyes... but I'll see you there next year, right??