Sweet baby girl

I love making photos of newborns. They're so beautiful. And it's such a privilege to be among the first visitors. These pictures were captured when Naiya was not quite two weeks old. Her parents were already settling into their new role and they were so comfortable and willing to do whatever I suggested (even at the risk of the inevitable accidents that happened when the diaper came off.) Tina has been more than a client. She's offered so much support and inspiration. I'm so happy that I could give her these pictures of her beautiful daughter, and I look forward to watching this family grow.

Trinidad

A couple of weeks ago I took a whirlwind three-day trip to Trinidad to join a team doing urban ministry as they helped to host an open-air concert in downtown Port of Spain. Two local soca artists and team of teenagers from Canada was enough to draw a large interested and interesting crowd. The music was great, the message inspirational, and the people watching was at its best.

One of my favorite models

One of my great friends has also been a very gracious guinea pig for some of my best photographic experimenting. A few years ago, she and her husband were brave enough to let me shoot my first wedding--theirs! When I suggested to Dana that we try belly pictures, she didn't even bat an eye. And she again invited me into their home when their daughter was just 10 days old. I had the honor of being in the way of the first projectile puke during our newborn photo shoot. I'm so honored to have been a small part of Dana's growing family over the years, and just a couple of weeks ago, I again had the pleasure of making some family portraits, just a couple of days before her daughters first birthday. They were all fantastic to work with. Here are a few pictures from the family shoot. You will recognize Dana and her family in several of the galleries on my website as well.

All in the family

How a photographer makes a family picture with herself in it:

1. Line everybody up, making sure there's room somewhere for herself to jump in

2. Take several frames of everyone without her (doing a silly dance so the baby will look at the camera)

3. Get in a good aerobic work out setting the camera timer and running to get in the photo, several times

4. Combine several photos to get everybody at their best (I'm not telling how many!)

Here's the result—my gorgeous family:

Careful, careful

It's always nice when a client shows concern for your welfare. It's especially heart-warming when she's not even two years old. As we climbed around on the banks of the Bow River for a family shoot, Molly was safe in her daddy's arms. But I, on the other hand, had to look out for myself. "Sha-sha (care-ful), Romi," she said, over and over, as I stepped from rock to rock. Thankfully we all made it back to safe ground without any mishaps. Family photos with two children under two is a challenge, but they were so cute, and we had fun making pictures on the rocks, in the grass, at the playground, and on the train tracks. I loved their look of denim and white. The whole feel was so fresh, fun and summery.

In the nick of time

I took some belly pictures for Tina a couple of weeks ago, and apparently it was just in the nick of time. We squeezed in the shoot in the midst of them finishing off their new house. Little did her parents know that baby's arrival was only a few days away. Within a week of the shoot, Tina was in labor. I just know they're going to be a beautiful family, and make a great new home.


I can't wait to take pictures of little Naiya!

Expectation

Amy and Paul are naturals in front of a camera. And with almost no direction they expressed their love for each other and all the excited expectation they have for their first baby. After a beautiful evening at the lake, I can just picture what a great family they will make.