10 Things I Learned This Weekend

If Cuteness Could Kill...

I would have died this afternoon! Today I met Mila; an irrisistable 5 month old cutie PIE (and I'm not just talking any plain pie, I'm talking about those special rare ones you only get when the fruit is in season). There was something so angelic about her sweet little face, and she had those big brown eyes that always get me. Enough out of me, now; here's proof:



At one point in the session, Mila's mom picked her up and was rocking her by the window, and at that same time my "Jazz for Kids" CD was playing "What a wonderful world" by Louis Armstrong, and my heart just about melted. It was a perfect moment. Here it is...



I love these photographs that paint the romance of motherhood.

SPECIAL BIRTHDAY PROMOTION

This year, I want to celebrate my birthday doing what I love. So on December 15th (next month), I will waive the session fee for children with a birth certificate that confirms they share the same birthday as me. Parents of my little fellow-saggitarians will then be free to order prints and/or gifts à-la-carte.

I'll be taking a maximum of 4 appointments that day, so if you've got a little one born on December 15th, clear your calendar for that day and be one of the first 4 to call!

Cheers,

Josée

Curly Smiles

This morning I had a session with Owen and his parents. I've never seen a face open up like Owen's does when he smiles; from a small little rosebud mouth right to a huge curly smile, it was absolutely irrisistable.

The whole family was gorgeous; there are some photographs from this shoot that made me really think about starting one of my own soon! Here are a few of the ones that pulled on some serious heartstrings for me...

Belle Petite Lily

Saturday I photographed a perfect little baby girl named Lily. She had these great big eyes that had the camera swooning from the start!

My favorite part of this session with Lily was watching (and hearing) her mum sing french songs to her; songs I remember from my own childhood. I got some great shots of this happy little princess... here are a few of my favorites!

Big kids & tweens

Last week I had what I think will be my last beach shoot of the season with four big kids; something I don't get to do very often!

These kids were at the age where they're beginning to acquire adult tendencies where being photographed is concerned; self-consciousness, shyness and a need for direction. Though it's a little more challenging to photograph a subject so aware of the camera and of the awkwardness of being captured by a stranger, I got some great shots of these cousins that made me very happy.

Full House at Casa de la Caza!

When Vicky called me some weeks ago and asked me if I could photograph six 2-year-olds AND a 5 year-old, I thought... Why not!

And so I did! And it was a busy day. But the photographs turned out beautifully. The kids' grandparents were also photographed that day, which I love. There's something about having generations in one room that's both fascinating and heart-warming.

Here's a small collage of a few of the many photos taken that day.

Princess Baylee

This morning I had the pleasure of photographing little miss Baylee, a perfect baby girl. All I can say about this shoot is that I could have gone on all day. Baylee was full of giggles and the family as a whole was just so sweet and so easy to capture. Here are a few moments from this morning...









Things are getting busy before the holidays, but I still do have alot of weekday openings, and a small number of weekend spots. It's not too late for personalized holiday greeting cards or gifting quite yet, so make that call!

Josée

An action-packed Saturday Morning!

Okay. I had tons of fun, and tons of different fun today so instead of picking and choosing what I'm going to show and/or talk about, I'm spilling it all.

First, I had a shoot with Shannon. A client I'm infinitely fond of because she happens to be my very first "real" client; the first stranger who picked up my little flyer and had the guts to give a no-name girl a call. It made me so happy to see this family for our fourth visit, this time to capture little Jack, the family's latest arrival. One of the best parts of this shoot for me was capturing Ben, who has become so comfortable with my presence that his personality just beams right through the shy boundaries that used to be a little tricky for me to penetrate. I'm totally in love with this boy's eyes.



My second shoot today was with Krista and her family to celebrate their brand new arrival, little Sadie. The last time I saw this little family, little miss Sadie was still hanging out in mum's belly just some weeks ago! I love having the opportunity to celebrate stages of families' lives this way because then, my role becomes more than that of a photographer capturing a moment; suddenly, I evolve into a storyteller.



These two families happen to be close friends, and so today I was able to do something I don't get to do very often; I got to photograph two best friends having a blast together. Does it get any cuter than this??



Finally, I thought I'd use my shoot with little Sadie today to illustrate a thought. I spoke to many expecting mothers at the Baby & Toddler Show who seemed to be persuaded by the idea that child photography should begin at 6-9 months, where a child is very expressive and loaded with smiles. Although I have a blast shooting those little toothless smiles, I have to stress the value of newborn portraits. It's very true that newborn portraits won't offer you an array of expressions... but the art of a good study of your newborn in all its tiny glory is nothing short of wonderful. Take Sadie as an example.



That's it for me tonight! Happy Sunny Weekend to you all.... we've earned this one.

Josée

Jacob the Ham!

I never walk into a shoot with a 5 year-old and not expect to break a sweat, and I sure did today! This afternoon I met Jacob whom I discovered is an expert runner, tumbler and face-maker.

Young boys are always a challenge to photograph, but in the end, it's their wildness that I'm always thankful for when I see the end results. Jacob was no exception! Here are a few of my favorite shots from today's session.

Happy sneak-peeking, Wanda!

Josée

Aaaaaaaaaaaand the winner is.............

Tanya Frenette was the winner of my draw for a session held at the Baby & Toddler Show this past weekend. Her ballot was picked out of 229!



I had a great time this weekend as an exhibitor among a sea of cute babies, quirky toddlers and sweet expecting couples! I'm looking forward to seeing those who have already scheduled their sessions and to speaking to those who will be calling soon.

Potential clients weren't the only people I got to spend time with this weekend; I was lucky enough to be the neighbour of both Allison of Nummies (Specialty Nursing Lingerie! check it out at www.nummies.ca), and Trina of Maus Wear (handmade items for babies & toddlers! check it out at www.mauswear.com). Allison had her baby girl Tessa with her the entire weekend, and I have to say that she is one of the happiest babies I've ever seen. By Sunday, I broke down and had to take out the camera to snap a few shots of her.








I also met Allison's husband and two adorable sons. This family radiated with the kind of joy that can only come of being part of a family that is completely loved. It was really moving to watch.

Well that's it for me! Back to work; I have alot of catching up to do. Thanks again to all of those who paid me a visit this weekend, and to those who took the time to get to know me and my work.

Josée

Meet me at The Baby & Toddler Show!

This weekend I'll be attending The Baby & Toddler Show at Metro Toronto Convention Centre. I'm very happy to be participating in the Sick Kids Silent Auction, where I'll be donating a session.

But that's not the only perk to paying me a visit at the show! I'll also have ballots available for the draw of a Classic session. And for those who can't wait for luck to book their sessions, I'm going to be offering a $50 discount to those who would like to book their sessions at the show. A 50% deposit is required for these show bookings.

I'm looking forward to seeing alot of new and familiar faces there, and hope to see you among them!

Nap Interrupted

Last Saturday I had a shoot with a 3 month old little pumpkin who wasn't very happy that I had the audacity to pay her a visit on a day where she hadn't quite finished her nap.



The experience inspired me to remind potential clients out there of one of the qualities that make me a great family photographer to work with. When you book your photography session with me, my commitment to you is never limited to time & talent -- you're promised consideration and sympathy, and are always sure to receive the best possible work that could be created with your little munshkins, no matter what happens.

If there's a fussy spell, there's always time for a feeding. And if the fussy spell becomes a fussy day, it's understandable. These things happen, and there are always second chances. There should be no guilt or appologies for something so unpredictable.

We rescheduled this little pumpkin's session for another day. Her mum should be happy we gave the session a second chance because the portraits are just splendid!

Happy sneak-peeking, Lisa!

Josée

King Matías

I photographed a tiny king named Matías this afternoon. His father whispered sweet nothings to him in Spanish and his mom, though claiming to have gotten only three hours of sleep the night before, looked like a queen.

A sweet, new family. Enjoy the peek, Alexandra, Cesar and of course... proud auntie Joanna!

Alexaaaaaaaaaawww.........

Alexa is a perfect little baby girl I photographed today. One of those types of babies that make the clock go tick-tock, blue eyes and a rosebud mouth. When I see babies this beautiful I always wonder how their parents stop themselves from just staring.

Completely irrisistable and a photographer's dream.

Enjoy the sneak peek, Jacqui & Tyler!

Josée