Sparkles and Snow and STEFFI!

I always thought that fall colors were my all time fave to shoot in but yesterday I think I was proven wrong! I went out and about with the hor frost and this sharp looking family to capture some family photos and WOW~do I ever LOVE the sharp color distinction and the wonderful shots we captured! I think the white canvas is so beautiful with these gorgeous and adorable faces...truly a perfect day for some snow and sparkles! Here are some of my favorites!

Family...

This weekend was one of those bittersweet times when you have a sad event to attend but still feel warm and fuzzy because it means you get to connect with your FAMILY <3

Yesterday we attended the funeral of my Great Aunty Kay.  90 years old and still as fresh and fiesty as I will ever remember.  A woman of grace, community spirit and family loyalty....a treasure cherished by her family and whom will be deeply missed!  It was a time of celebrating a wonderful life and reacquainting the ones left behind, something done far too little.  For the first time since my own Mother's funeral all of her siblings were gathered in one place, something needing to be documented!  here is what is left of my immediate "extended family" and the wonderful ties I have left to my "Smith Family" heritage!  Love you guys and all the personalities you bring to our lives!

It is funny when you are growing up that you dont necessarily end up being friends with the 'besties' you had in school.  Joleen and I hung around here and there but it wasnt until we were out in the adult world that we really found our friendship.  She was my first roommate, the reason I am in the industry I am in and one of my biggest supporters of inching my way into the photography world.  It is because of all of these things that I said I would do some photos for her grandpa's 80th birthday for her and her family..and well anyone else that wanted to...LOL.  I was seriously worried about this ALL WEEK as I dont do as much picture taking as I would like and well..lets face it, I am a putz!  Sure...would love to catch pics of 50 of your closest family for a couple hours...then trip, smash the camera and ruin everything...EEK.  This did not happen (thank God) but the sheer thought FREAKS me out!

Anywho...I was honored to capture memories for Joleen and her family.  They are the perfect image of a Canadian family!  Hope you like this years shots Jo!

Ahh.. my little princess.  (ahem...or the farthest thing from it :)  I was always one of those parents whose inner head voice always said "bah, my teenager won't be like THAT" ...of course because I was sweet and innocent! (please lord dont let my family see that...)  INstead I ended up with a strong-willed sarcastic brat.  Would I change this for anything?? Not a chance :)  Here is my crraazzzy teen...smiling, talking and posing for her mother in a way only she can muster! Love ya toad :)

My kids, the true loves of my life and the reason I get out of bed in the morning.  I have a teenage daughter and a 10 yr old son who could not be more different from each other but I love them both equally with my entire being. My daughter is reserved, hides her emotions and prefers alone time with her earbuds in while she contemplates life.  My son is a class clown, out in the open, emotional sleeve with a heart of gold stuck in a weedy patch.  Together we form a family of misfits but hey, I wouldnt change it for the world.  I try my best to raise them right, on my own and with the values instilled in me by my own wonderful Mother....and tbh..I think I am doing a grand job. :)
Here is a few of my recent faves:

My daughter babysits the most ADORABLE little man!  He is a chubby cheek sweetheart that comes here once a week or so and reminds me that my house is no longer baby friendly...aka...he eats dog food, spreads plant dirt all over, plays in the drawers...you know...baby stuff!  he is always talking up a storm and giggles at all his own jokes but most of all he is just plain CUTE.  Here is a few pics I snapped while he was being "sat on" tonight...

There are seriously no better group of people than PHOTOGRAPHERS!  They have such an outpouring of community and support for each other that it sometimes gives me the shivers!  I am soooo lucky to live amongst some of the wonderfully friendly photographers that grace our area and are willing to share of themsleves to enlighten a new passionate photog to embark on their journey...

Tonight I was given the opportunity to learn from Kari Jeanne Photography.  What a gorgeous, talented and INSPIRING photographer she is!  I am truly blessed to have been given some insight from some extraordinary talent!  She taught me TONNES in a matter of 2 hours!

Thank you SO much Kari!  I hope you enjoy your cookies as a very small token of my appreciation!  I came home and played with the "focus and move" feature and LOVE it!

This is what SOULS are made of...

*sigh*  a ME day.  FIrst day of school every year I take the day off, drop the kiddos off at school and head to the city.  What do I do?  NOTHING.  And it is AWESOME.  I can wander around, flying by the seat of my pants with NO NAGGING, no dictating where we should or shouldnt go...just me, my thoughts and a whole lot of food and window shopping.  THIS is what souls are made of....<3