Viva Las Vegas!!!!

We'll I'm off for the next 6 days...off to Vegas that is, but not really off work. I'm heading to the WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International) Annual Convention in Vegas with my close friends Emma from barebone photo and Jenn from Jennifer Kirk Photography.

I'm so pumped. I've been trying to get to it for the past three years but I've always had scheduling conflicts. I am going to be attending sessions given by some of the brightest stars in wedding and portrait photography. One of my favourite US wedding photographers, Mike Colon, will be battling it out with the legendary Yervant on Monday night at the "Champagne Shootout"!!!!!!! I'm not sure if I am more excited about seeing Mike work or the ice cream sundae bar featured at this event!!!

Anyway, three fabu Canadian girls in Vegas with cameras...I'm sure there will be some interesting photos coming out of this trip...we'll see if any are appropriate for the blog!

The best part...all the great new ideas and techniques that I will tuck into my camera bag to use in the upcoming wedding season!

You've come a long way baby!!!!

A year ago a good friend of mine asked me to photograph his colleague's 3 week old baby boy. Little did I know that Gwyn would be the poster boy for all my 2006 children's photography ads. The pose wasn't even my idea.

When I was back at the their house this past weekend to capture Gwyn in all his one-year-old glory, Mum and Dad couldn't agree whose can up with the idea in the first place (I know but I'm not telling). Anyway, being a VERY mobile wee man, Gywn did all his own posing on Saturday, hamming it up for the camera and dancing along to Dad playing Jungle Book songs on the guitar. Great fun, can't wait 'til he's two!

Dale & Katie

One of my colleagues complained the other day that I seem to get more than my fair share of good-looking couples. I could wax philosophical and say that I find the inner beauty in everyone (blah blah blah)but the truth is is that I really DO seem to have the best looking people show up at my door all the time. After this engagement session with Katie and Dale, I can't wait to do their wedding!!! EARLY on a cold cold Saturday morning (and they had to drive an hour to get to me), they were game for just about anything! My favourites shots had nothing to do with any poses but were of Katie when she scrunched up her face to giggle out of control. Don't worry guys, wedding day will be MUCH warmer!

Busy, Busy, Busy!

Hey! I've been shootin' up a storm this past week...all sorts of neat stuff, from some commercial product pieces to engagements in the snow to 1 year baby photos of a wee Irish lad on St. Paddy's day!

I'll post some of this soon but I just has to mention this new website/store I just discovered. We signed a new couple this weekend and the bride, Melissa owns a dog boutique..seriously, how cool is that???? Anyway, when they left, I had to check it out. The website is FULL of great stuff.

So if you have the latest cool accessory...a pampered pup, check out The Discerning Dog at www.thediscerningdog.ca .

Simply Baby Is Here!!!

I'm so excited...my cousin, Andrea Pyle has this amazing line of baby gifts that is now available in Toronto at "Dick & Jane" on Younge Street!!! When my first wee monster was born, Andy's stepmom sent me out a bunch of "Simply Baby" stuff, some of which I still use myself....like the microwavable crib warmer.

So if you are on Younge, looking for unique baby gifts, stop in at Dick & Jane, otherwise you can always find her stuff at www.simplybaby.ca

Big Day...Big Family...Big Love!

Congratulations to Adrienne and Winston, married yesterday amidst much much much family and friends. Winnie's 10 brothers and sisters were as big in personality as they were in numbers, a perfect foil to Adrienne's family of four! Top the day off with a rowdy reception complete with 14 children under the age of 10 and I was pining for my big extended family out West.

Thanks to the Brown Brothers for all the belly laughs!