So I am pretty proud of us so far in being “intentional” with Addy. Making a point to take her hand/footprints, taking her out, getting out ourselves, doing things with her the way we hope they will be in the long run (even when its not easy now) etc. HOWEVER I have to admit that as a photographer I have been slack in taking good pics of her, so I put it in my planner to schedule some time in to capture her with more than my iphone. The above collage is a result of wanting to capture all her little features I did it once for a client and loved it, and need to do it more! (PS I didn’t photoshop the images at all, I wanted to show her just as she is…PERFECT!!!)

ANNND I thought it might be fun to do something a little different for 10 Random things Tuesday today! I am going to provide multiple choice questions for my VERY random things and you can comment with your answers. The person with the most answers will win a $5o credit towards a shoot or prints/products! In the event of a tie for correct answers I will randomly select the winner from those with correct answers

So here we go!

1. Something that I buy but then can never find so end up buying again:

a. stamps

b. staples

c. tweezers

d. all of the above

2. What I have been making “slushies” with over the last two weeks.

a. pop

b. flavoured milk

c. mini sips

d. juice boxes

3. Before she was born we called her bean, what do I call her most often now:

a. beanie baby

b. addy girl

c. sweet girl

d. addison

4. If I was going to a coffee shop I would most likely have :

a. hot chocolate

b. iced cappichino

c. tea

d. coffee

5. Something that I never used to like that I now enjoy:

a. taking a bath

b. giving myself a mud mask

c. sitting still and watching tv

d. all of the above

6. Currently my favorite kind of pen:

a. RSVP

b. Pilot

c. Sharpie

d. who cares, find one that writes!

7. When I am at home you can most often find me:

a. wearing my shoes in the house

b. wearing sox

c. barefoot

d. in a pair of cozy slippers

8. Things that I like to collect :

a. old cameras

b. bottle caps from Jones Soda bottles

c. shells from places I visit

d. mementos – cards, letters, keepsakes

9. Thing(s) that I bought with the intention of using (but don’t)

a. receipt holder/organizer

b. label maker

c. wall file organizer

d. all of the above

10. And lastly;when I was pregnant I was sick a lot and couldn’t stomach some foods. There are two that I still haven’t been able to eat :

a. tuna

b. apples

c. peanuts/peanut butter

d. curry

e. lemonade

f. tacos

g. pizza

h. strawberry jello

GOOD LUCK!

As a surprise Christmas gift for his dad we took this Mr. out for a shoot. I love the million expressions he seemed to pull out of nowhere (and his spiderman moves were second to none) Below are the spreads from the album we created to show off the many sides I’ll be sharing a few more albums over the next few weeks. They are one of my favorite things to send out of the studio, I love making images work together and have them tell a story

Ok well not to brag but having photographer friends pretty much rocks Jeff, Susie and Charlotte came over for a visit today and Jeff brought his camera (and mine was out too) and sent me this when he got home!  So thanks Jeff Cooke for this fabulous shot!

1. Addison Joy Gionet was born 01-02-12 at 8:41 am and was 8lbs 3oz. and she has stolen our hearts!

2. I know its been a while since I have posted any client shots on the blog! A new post will  be coming soon but it turns out I’m not super woman! This having a baby business is tough work!

3. Alex is taking paternity leave to be home with Addison and I.  So in case you were worried that I’d be taking a year off I’m not!!! I am still working but right now we’re enjoying time with our new bundle of Joy so things are a little bit delayed in getting done.

4. I brush my teeth everytime I go to the bathroom at night (and often during the day)

5. My baby toenail is so tiny that sometimes it just falls off!

6. I have recently joined pinterest, and all it has done is made me want to do all kinds of crafty things! I used to take the time to do all of those things…and I think I’ll need to do something crafty again soon, I really enjoyed making my Christmas tags this year

7. If I thought I was hungry when I was pregnant…thats got nothing on me now! My bedside table is stocked with granola bars!

8. We are so blessed by amazing friends who have been super helpful, and amazing family that gives us amazing support. I guess thats not that random but thought it was worth saying.

9. I keep almost falling asleep while writing this!

10. I love Kinect Dance Central and got the new one for Christmas! Looking forward to giving it a try once I’m feeling a bit more like myself.

When Ali & Scott suggested a park close to where they live, where they often take their dog, I was excited and nervous. Sometimes I like to scout things out ahead of time…and sometimes we just don’t have a chance. They sent me some pics from a walk that they went on, and I thought it would be fun to play with. However when I arrived…it was one of those overwhelming “gosh I love this place and don’t know where to start!” moments…and I had a bunch of them. I just kept wanting to shoot, and if this beautiful bean of ours wasn’t so adamant on me HAVING to go to the washroom…I am sure I could have kept shooting for another hour (as it was I was laughed at for RUNNING (ok semi running semi waddling) to the bathroom at the closest gas station) And just like the shoot, I could have kept adding pictures to this post…but I really wanted to get something up tonight so I had to stop somewhere! Here are a few from the day…(ok its killing me because I just saw like 10 more I wanted to post…maybe later in the winter!!)

These two had such amazing chemistry and I just cant wait until their wedding next year!

Enjoy! xo

First of all a huge shout out to Jeff Cooke! My good friend who took Alex and I out for a bump style shoot and snapped this photo of me near the end. All of the pics are great but I LOVE that this one doesn’t focus on me being pregnant Thanks buddy!!!

Alright well I know that I am WAAAAAYYYY behind on 10 random things Tuesday…and I know that I haven’t updated the blog in a while! The funny thing is that I HAVE been shooting a bunch of familys, engagement sessions, boudoir and bump…its just that this growing a baby business is a lot more difficult than I had expected! Holy tired and sick batman!!!! But I am trying to slow down a little bit with Bean’s arrival expected less than 7 weeks now (though I know it may be before or after that) so hopefully I’ll have some time to update you on what we’ve been up to with This is Photography! But for now, to tide you over…here are some random things!

1. Putting on boots is now one of the most difficult parts of my day.

2. When I make toast and I butter it, or pb and jam it or as of late, rock the nutella on it. I finish prepping one slice, take a bite, and prep the next….then I take a bite of that one before I sit down to actually eat it. (Yup you’re looking for random things…so you’re getting RANDOM things)

3. I LOVE Christmas! I love buying presents and wrapping them, I love the decorations and the lights and the family and everything!!! So excited that its on its way!!!

4. I get this question a lot, so thought I’d answer it as a random thing…I don’t think I get any “weird” cravings. I was never a “sweets” person, but I have eaten more chocolate cake and doughnuts in the last 7 months than probably in the 7 years prior combined…but I really would haven’t had very many before that, so don’t worry its not my daily diet!

5. I love storms! Rain/Snow/Lightning/Wind…love it all! Something about the amazing power that a storm can have…just LOVE it! I even love when the power goes out (but not tomorrow! I have a tonne of editing to do and we haven’t had the chimney swept yet!)

6. I used to be an AWFUL baker, but thanks to my friend Erin teaching me that there is a difference between “about a cup” and a cup….and between softened margarine and melted butter….I have been able to have pretty good success over the last couple of years.

7. I use a timer when I cook almost anything, because if I don’t…I WILL forget. Its this thing I have of doing too many things at once, so I’ll say put cupcakes in for another two minutes and then go start a load of laundry or come back to my office and start a batch of editing… but if I didn’t hear the ding ding of the oven timer…I would let those cupcakes burn right up! Sometimes I’ll use the timer as a challenge…like “can I get this dishwasher emptied before that goes off” gee don’t I sound like fun!!!

8. I am pretty certain that other than my sneakers I don’t have any flat shoes that I can wear socks in….which may present a problem with the weather that we are expected to get (and the overall minus weather…not so good for flip flops) I prefer heels most of the time, but in these casual clothes that I’m rockin….not thinking its gonna work so well!!!

9. I LOVE inexpensive accessories. Its a great way to have a varied amount of jewlery without breaking the bank! Plus you can still shop for it while pregnant! PS Ardene store in bayers lake has WALLS of accessories, 4 for $10…great stocking stuffers!

10. ummmm….wow….this is tough…I need some questions to spur me on… but for the record… choosing baby names is TOUGH. So much to consider… Any suggestions??

Well if I said that it wasn’t a whole lot harder than I expected to shoot weddings while I was pregnant, I would be lying! Jocelyn & Andrews wedding was my last of the season and I would have thought that I would have been dreading it but I didn’t! I was so excited for their wedding and I can honestly say it wasn’t until we walked out the reception doors that I was glad that it was over. Their amazing energy, fun wedding party and super cute kids made it easy to get lost in taking the photos, and having fun while doing it.  I’m glad we’re booking up for next year, its a reminder that I will still be doing something I love! I am still shooting now, and will be for a while, but I am TRYING to take it a bit easier, its hard loving what you do, and wanting to grow, and do the very best for your amazing clients…but also knowing that you have a big change coming…that you need to get ready for…so as always, seeking that ever distant balance! But for now, here are some shots of the amazing Jocelyn & Andrew, my last wedding before Bean arrives  

I may be on vacation but I couldn’t wait to post a sneak peek from Mary Pam & Krishna’s Halifax wedding. They had a beautiful ceremony and a great reception at the Lord Neslon to follow. It was great to see the cultural items that they added throughout the day and you could tell that the family played a big part in making this day happen! Congrats Mary Pam & Krishna !

I don’t know if the average Haligonian would have any idea how many Saturdays it rained this summer, but it was the vast majority. Many nice sunny days through the week, sunny Fridays, sunny Sundays and rainy rainy Saturdays. Thankfully my brides (and grooms, and wedding parties) were game for getting a little bit wet, and going to places that maybe weren’t the “norm” Heather & Jeff were no exception, I love the shot of Heather coming into the church under the umbrella giggling all the way. Jeff & Heather had a luxury bus to get the wedding party around for photos, and I can say that I recommend that 100%! We all could just walk on and off the bus and head to the different spots around the city. Thanks Heather & Jeff for letting us share in your special day!

Karen & Richard don’t live locally, and they wanted to have some photos taken at Peggy’s cove in their wedding duds, but since their wedding was in the valley we were left with only one option….a Rock the Dress shoot. Now if a bride is gutsy for being willing to sit on dirt and rocks, climb through small pathways, stand close to the waters edge and whatever else we may ask of her…then Karen was the gutsiest bride of all….since we did their rock the dress shoot BEFORE the wedding. Yes siree the morning before their wedding Karen put her wedding dress on at the side of their rented truck for all the Peggy’s Cove tourists to see. Then we shot at Peggy’s Cove and a couple of random spots we found along the way. Oh the good time with these guys…especially Richard smushing Karen into an old fishing shacks wall when he lost his balance… Oh and the waves at Peggy’s Cove were amazing! I wish I had packed a picnic to stay when we finished, normally the crazy high waves are accompanied with bad weather, but as you can see it was a beautiful day with dramatic waves, what a great time!

We wanted to get some nice natural colours for Ashley & Joel’s engagement session, but also wanted to do some urban feeling shots…so we started off at Shubie Park, and were greeted by about 50 dogs and their walkers who were doing a fundraising walk. After we stopped doggie traffic for a while and grabbed our green shots, we were going to hop in the car and explore. But Joel & Ashley had a suggestion…”why don’t we go to the gravel pit” now I was picturing just a big pile of gravel, which I could have worked with, and since its where Joel worked there was a connection so I said “lets go for it” I had NO idea what I was getting myself into but I was like a kid in a candy store….lets go over there…ohhhh look at that…lets try over here. It was fun going somewhere so new and unique! Great idea guys and I will never think of a gravel pit the same again!