I had to share just one more from the library. I love how pensive she is in this moment. It makes me wonder what she is thinking...
Thanks for looking. Don't forget to leave some love in the comments section!
{M} xo
Birthday Portraits - Part Two : : Cambridge Children's Photographer
Okay, here is part two! The location we chose for this part of the session was the Hespeler Library in Cambridge. It is a gorgeous building with a glass exterior, lots of light, modern features and really friendly staff. Redesigned in 2007, it wraps around and preserves the historic Carnegie Library, and it is an architectural wonder. We got there a little later than planned, after taking advantage of the gorgeous winter-afternoon light outdoors, and we arrived with around 45 minutes to shoot (including an outfit change!). Brielle was a real trooper, and we moved quickly and quietly through the library, shooting right down to the wire! Brielle did stop for a few minutes to read some pages from Charlotte's Web, the first novel she and I read together. Even though the light was fading fast, I couldn't refuse her request to take a reading break.
Brielle has blossomed into a very confident and avid reader over the last few months, progressing quickly through the reading levels at school and becoming more interested in deeper stories. This makes my heart so happy. I am a MAJOR bibliophile, often reading three or four books at a time, getting lost in each story with equal intensity. I am so glad that Brielle will have the ability to lose herself in the world of literature, to always have a way to fill the spare moments.
Here are a few images from our time at the library, a new entry on our list of favourite places to hang out.
Love you Lulu!
{M) xo
Birthday Portraits - Part One : : Cambridge Children's Photographer
Every year, around my girls' birthdays, I take each one out for her very own portrait session. We pick the outfits together, choose the locations and set a date. Brielle decided on two different locations for her shoot, both of which show a part of her personality. The first part was set in the woods behind and around my parents' property, which backs onto Crown Land and the Grand River delta. The sun was shining all morning, but wouldn't you know it, it was playing peekaboo with the clouds when we finally got ready to shoot!
Brielle is such a lover of the outdoors, a camper, a hiker and an explorer. She loves being outside in the fresh air, discovering new things and learning about nature. She chose to have this part of the shoot in the forest because "I love nature, Mommy!". Adorable!
Stay tuned for part two!
{M} xo
The Calm Before the Storm : : Kitchener Baby Photographer
Nine months is a great age. It is the golden time, right before your little one starts to talk, sing, dance and generally make a lot more happy noise. Just preceding the stage when they are learning to walk and therefore fall constantly, often leading with the head...and thus causing much gasping and mom-diving to save tender skulls. This little lady is right at the start of this wonderful phase, crawling around, stealing her big sister's Lego for a taste test, pulling the keys off of Dad's laptop and keeping her Mommy on her toes all day long. I am fortunate to be friends with both of her parents ( they were each my husband's boss, but at two different companies - long story) and I dropped over on a lovely, but rather gray, morning to snap some shots of their little darling.
She was so fun to shoot, with a few big smiles and lots of curious pondering, but no tears or playing shy. She did, however, take a great liking to my camera strap and we had a couple of tug-of-war matches over it while I was snapping away. I don't want to brag, but I won! ;)
Thanks for sharing your morning with me, ladies!
{M} xo
Daddy and his Girl : : Kitchener Family Photographer
I have an image on my wall that melts my heart every time I look at it. My wonderful husband with Brielle in his lap, kissing her gently on the forehead. She, with her hair slightly messy, a look of peace on her face and her hands around her Daddy's hands. Sigh. What a true moment of unconditional love. This is what drives me to be a family photographer. To see the love, caring, tenderness, sweetness, laughter and joy that exists within every family. It is what makes a family a family. And that I was able to capture this moment for my own family to treasure is better than any gift I could ever receive. That is what I hope to give to each and every family that I photograph - the gift of memories to cherish.
Remember to hug your kids tight and tell them you love them with your words and actions. Kiss them while they are sleeping and watch them when they don't know you are looking. That is joy.
Okay, I'm getting a little sappy and cheesy now. :) Enjoy this image. I do every day.
{M} xoxo
if seven is a lucky number : : Kitchener Children's Photography
Brielle is seven today. Holy moly, it is even harder to write than I thought it would be! She has grown to be such a kind, smart, sassy, beautiful, stubborn, verbal little lady, and yet today I just want to hold in her in my arms and will her to stay a child forever. Ah, the joys and sorrows of motherhood, all rolled into one special day. I think this is going to be Brielle's year. She has started to learn to snowboard, and her smile while she is on the hill is RADIATING! She has started reading chapter novels and I love watching her hunker down in bed each night to tackle a chapter, calling out occasionally to spell a word for us to help her with. She is developing stronger relationships with her friends, and beginning to see the value of true friendships. Not to mention dealing with ups and downs of the school playground and its complex social stratosphere.
This year, she decided that rather than a group party, she wanted to invite her bestie, Taylor, over for her first ever BFF sleepover. Lord help me, this is moving way too fast for me! The girls were VERY excited for this big night, which consisted of lots of play time, some Just Dance 3 on the Xbox, hide-and-go-seek and eventually, some sleepy snuggles. Listening to little girls whispering in bed when they are supposed to be sleeping is pure joy.
In the morning, after an up-and-down night, Carl whipped up some pancakes for the girls and they watched a Bratz movie. And, of course, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to grab the girls for a few shots, even if they only cooperated for a few minutes. They are so darn cute together, cracking each other up with potty humour and whispering secrets. I just happened to have coordinating outfits in the closet for them to wear! :)
I think these two are going to be the stars of many misadventures together!
And add the third, look out world!!!!
On her seventh birthday!
I love you Brielle. You are my sunshine.
{M} xoxo
I Miss Summer : : Kitchener Children's Photographer
As I stood this morning, freezing my tush off watchng Brielle snowboard, my face numb and my glasses caked with ice droplets, I dreamed of summer. Green grass, a warm breeze, the girls whizzing down the sidewalk on their bikes and my feet free of socks and shoes. It sounds so lovely. Of course, then I was snapped back to reality by a snowflake in the ear and the dream bubble burst. But I can still put a little summer on the blog!!! Here is one of my friend's little darling, Rachel, enjoying last year's warm temperatures. A rare serious expression from a little monkey who usually smiles like crazy!
Here's to summer dreams!
{M} xo
Mr. Smiley : : Kitchener Children's Photographer
My girls have been going to the same sitter for almost four years. As a result, they have each claimed one of her sons as a "boyfriend". I featured Brielle's little man, Ethan, back in the fall, but I just recently had the opportunity to sneak in a mini session with his younger brother, Noah. AKA Emery's boyfriend. Sigh. I didn't think it would start quite this early. I dread the teenage years. I headed out with Noah and his Mom on a bright winter's morning to capture some new images for the walls. It was a little crisp, but Noah was such a trooper! He is so silly and happy that we had no shortage of great smiles and expressions. In fact, he had a hard time making a straight face - he just kept cracking up! Sometimes being serious is harder than you would think, especially for a four year old.
Enjoy the images!
What a great start to 2012!
{M} xo
The Season : : Kitchener Photographer
This Christmas, for the first time, I decided not to work at all during the break so I could spend extra time with my family. Usually I end up doing at least a few massage treatments and a couple of last minute shoots but I always wish that I had just stayed home with my girls and hubby. This year I was all about watching movies with my girls, going to dinner with my hubby and just enjoying the peace and (relative) quiet of being at home with no plans. I took the pressure off even more by telling myself it was okay NOT to have perfect images from the season, but rather simple snapshots that were technically imperfect, but captured all the memories as they happened. I have found that as a professional photographer, everyone expects that all of your pictures will be amazing all the time and expect you to always have your camera at the ready. Ugh. Sometimes I want to just enjoy the moment without worrying about if I have enough light or if I have a good angle.
So, here are some snaps from my holiday season. The best one I have had in a really long time.
I was so proud of Brielle for writing the note to Santa all by herself this year. Emery drew the picture (don't ask me what it is, it was a very long and complicated explanation)...
And now to lay out some challenges for myself for 2012! Last year, I promised to complete a 52 weeks project (I got to week 36 or so and it kind of tapered off), to photograph 32 strangers (never happened) and maybe one other thing that I totally forget. This year, I am trying to set challenges that are a little less ambitious. And I expect you all to hold me to them, so don't be shy about reminding me on Facebook, by blog comment or in person!
- 24 Frames - Essentially, I want to practice and refine the skill of getting everything right IN CAMERA. Back in the film days, your couldn't just shoot to your heart's content and do the fixes in post, you had to nail it the first time, every time. I have gotten much better at this, but it is always important to keep working on it. So I will be posting, throughout the year, images that have come straight out of camera (SOOC) with just a bit of sharpening for web. Phew, wish me luck!
- Monthly Portraits - I want to do monthly portraits of my girls, just to see them grow and change throughout the year. I haven't told them yet, so it will be a surprise (or ambush, call it what you will.)
- Workshops - I want to attend at least two workshops this year, so I better start saving my pennies (or whole paycheques). I love learning new skills and meeting other photographers and workshops let me do both at the same time!
Okay, that seems like more than enough. Hopefully at this time next year I will be able to say that I completed all of my challenges (don't hold your breath, people). Thanks again for all the love and support this past year. Look out 2012, here I come!
{M} xo
Li'l Santa and His Big Sister : : Fergus Children's Photographer
I was thrilled when my godsister asked me to take some special holiday photos of her two little cuties back in November. I hadn't seen this part of my family for a long while and was looking forward to catching up! I couldn't wait to share these images, but had to wait until after Christmas so that we didn't spoil the surprise gifts for her family and friends. These blondies are so photogenic, it was hard to decide what to share. I picked a couple of faves for my site and I am sharing my other selections here. Enjoy!
First up is Miss Bella, a sweet, vibrant five year old who was excited to show off her baby brother (and play with my tag-along assistant, Emery).
What a proud big sister!
Next is the adorable Aidan. With those big blue eyes and cute smile, he is already a lady-killer!
Love you guys!
{M} xo
Christmas Tea Party at Langdon Hall : : Cambridge Ontario Photographer
This week the Dronyk Clinic, my dad's Chiropractic, Naturopathic and Acupuncture clinic (where I work as a massage therapist), had it's annual Christmas party. Usually we go out and have a very lengthy meal at a local restaurant, but this year it was suggested that we go to afternoon tea at the fabulous Langdon Hall, located in historic Blair. This gorgeous mansion was once the summer residence of a wealthy American family and now serves as a luxury hotel, restaurant and event venue. Being the proud owner of a very expensive but often useless history degree, I was beyond excited to check out this piece of local history. Being a small group, we were able to have our tea in the guest house's beautiful conservatory, a bright, window-filled room filled with wicker furniture and a warm, inviting fireplace. There we munched on freshly baked scones with Honey Butter made with honey produced on site, as well as an assortment of delicate pastries and savoury sandwiches. Now, I am not much of a fancy food gal myself, but I tried most of the little delectables and was surprised how many tasted delicious despite their hard-to-pronouce names (and I speak French and Latin, so if they were hard for me to pronouce, trust me, they were tricky to say!). They even had a special menu for my girls, consisting of mini grilled cheese, PB & J sandwiches and fresh fruit skewers.
I have to admit, I had anticipated a bit of the snobbery and nose-in-the-air attitude that I have come across at some other luxury establishments, but the staff and servers at Langdon Hall were exceptionally kind, warm, friendly and accomodating. Our fantastic server Alun even took my camera to get some candid shots of our whole party so I could take a bit of a break to enjoy myself. He treated my girls so well, taking them on a special tour of the house and kitchens, as well as giving them a key to a guest room so they could conduct their own little tours for Team Dronyk! They were absolutely adorable, Brielle explaining that no one could touch the big feather bed or jump on it, and Emery saying that you could be as loud as you want because the owners were all dead (she had asked me if the people in the paintings were the owners and I told her they had been a long time ago but had passed away)!
All in all, it was an absolutely fabulous way to spend the afternoon and a wonderful ending to another great year in practice. I have some images to share of our day. Try not to drool too much over the food shots.
I can't wait to go back to Langdon Hall in the future.
{M} xo
Charlie Boy : : Kitchener Pet Photographer
I just wanted to share a few shots of my handsome lound (a word of my own creation that means lab-hound cross), Charlie. Also known as Charlie Boy, Charles, Charlie Brown, Chuckles, Chuckie, and Charlie Chuckles. He is a well-loved member of our family, as well as a part-time member of my parents' and best friend's households. Here are the things Charlie loves to do:
- play ball
- eat
- sleep
- walk
- sleep (he really loves to sleep)
Charlie also snores (loudly), farts (also loudly), DROOLS, and occasionally eats food off the kitchen counter. In other words, he is the perfect dog.
We had an impromptu session in the woods one day, involving cheese slices, a stick and lots of burrs...but I did get one for the canvas I wanted! Success!
I love this next one. He has such a great smile...for a dog!
What a great dog. Love him.
{M} xo
Thank You : : Kitchener Photographer
I can't believe that this year is almost at it's end. For me, this has been a year of incredible growth and opportunity, as well as a year of change. And as I look toward the coming year, I can see that it is only going to get better. It was just over a year ago that I finally made the leap into the world of photography as a business. With my other jobs (yes, plural) and commitments as a wife and mother, I wasn't sure how I would manage to balance my hectic life if I added yet another "job" to the equation. But photography is not a job, it is a passion. And while it may have just as many hours of paper work, as much time away from my family and as many stressful moments as any other job, I love it more every time I pick up my camera. It is a lot of hard work, more than I even anticipated, but well worth it for the joy it brings to my heart.
I was sort of forced into getting a website and blog up-and-running, after finding out that a Google search for "Mandy Blake Photography" turned up a LOT of links to images of a plus-size porn star by the same name. I'll wait while you Google it. Go ahead. See? So obviously I had to work quickly to separate my name and my work from any association with the other Mandy Blake!
As I created this composite of all the children I have photographed this year, I was astounded to find that I had had the chance to work with over 40 families this year! Holy cow! I am so grateful to all of you - my clients, my friends, my family, my colleagues, my cheerleaders - for helping to make this year a succesful one. I am truly honored that you were willing to help me in this journey. Here are each of the beautiful faces I photographed this year (I hope I didn't miss anyone!) :
And can I just say, as I was going through the files from early in the year, I was shocked to see just how BAD my processing used to be! I was mortified by some of the crap I had produced. But then my husband, in his infinite wisdom said to me, "At least you don't suck anymore. You must be learning, right?". And that is one of the reasons I love him so much. Every step is one you need to make to stay on the right path.
I feel blessed and enornously relieved to have made it this far, but I know I have more growing, learning and exploring to do each and every day to make my photography better and stronger.
I can't wait to see what the new year will bring....2012, get ready, 'cause here I come!
{M} xo
Eric + Family : : Kitchener Family Photography
This family is one that is particularly special for me to photograph, because they are a part of my own family. Corey and I met when she came to live with my family during her last year of high school, since she lived in a small town and her school didn't offer all of the courses she needed to follow her chosen career path. We became like sisters and have remained close through the years as we have both grown and made our own lives. She and her husband Chris (who attended the same high school as I did, small world), and daughter Ruthie recently welcome baby Eric to their family. I was excited to meet and snuggle my new little "nephew" and capture some images for this wonderful family.
I should point out that newborns are definitely NOT my specialty and I say a big "Holy smokes, you are crazy good" to those photographers that do newborn photography well. Imagine trying to pose a ragdoll with a keen startle reflex, who stretches luxuriously just as you are about to snap the shutter, undoing all of your tricky arm and leg folding , and you will have an idea of how difficult photographing a newborn can be. I DO want to improve my skills in this department, so all of you out there get busy making babies for me to practice with! ;)
I did enjoy working with this family in their home, taking images of them in their own "element", relaxed and just living life. In the long winter months ahead, with the bitter temperatures and early dark, this is a great way to work a session into your schedule without freezing your tush off (or mine, for that matter). I think there is definitely something special about capturing memories in the place where most of them are created.
Enjoy the images everyone!
xoxo {M}
I'm Getting Old : : London Family Photographer
Do you remember when you were a kid and you would visit with adults you hadn't seen for awhile and they always said, "I remember when you were born! I can't believe how big you are now! I feel so old!" ? And while you smiled politely on the outside, you cringed on the inside, thinking "Why do they always act like I would stay small forever?", and you swore you would never say those things when you grew up? And the next thing you know, you have reached adulthood and you are saying those dreaded words, and realizing exactly why they need to be said. No? Really? Happens to me all the time. I recently celebrated my eight year anniversary with my hubby, and we planned a night away, including a peaceful, delicious dinner and, of course, the other thing you do when the kids aren't around, which starts with an "S".... Get your minds out of the gutter, people! I mean SLEEP! Ah, the blissful, sound sleep of parents who know there are no middle of the night pee breaks or demands for water-cup refills. Beautiful.
The next morning, I awoke, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, and headed out to meet my cousin and her two teenage boys for a shoot. And this is what brings me back to my original point. Eight years ago, these two guys were the ring bearers in our wedding. They were then five and six years old, respectively, and absolutely adorable! And while I have seen them occasionally over the intervening years, I was still dumbstruck when they stepped out of the car and were no longer those sweet little boys! They are nearly men! After taking a few moments to make the cringe-worthy proclamations in regards to their growth and maturity, we got down to the business of capturing some images.
The boys were such good sports, freezing in the bitter wind, one crouching with sore legs from a championship football game the previous day (they won!) and generally dealing with my odd requests and overzealous desire to see them in a dark, dirty alley. They are both such respectful, kind young men, and I feel fortunate to call them my family.
First up is Cam, the older brother and Denver Broncos fan. He has an easy smile that just lights up the room.
Next is Josh, the younger brother and a Patriots die-hard. He is more serious than his older brother, but no less happy-go-lucky!
And here is one of them both. Brothers and best friends.
Thanks Cameron, Josh, Kevin and Kelly for just being awesome! Love you.
{M}
Blog Carousel - Faceless Self-Portrait : : Kitchener Photographer
This month the theme for the blog carousel is Faceless Self-Portrait. I had lots of ideas, but executing most of them would have required more time and planning than can be allotted in my schedule, so I had to stick with something simple. I decided that I wanted to try to be really literal in my interpretation, so I started experimenting with different ways of covering my face (think masks, pantyhose, my hair - are you laughing yet at the visuals?), but they were all a little too crazy once I tried them. I decided just set up my camera on the tripod, kneel on the floor and see what I got! I think the result is a little weird but a really accurate representation of a faceless self-portrait. My nose is a little Gerard-Depardieu-in-Cyrano-de-Bergerac for my liking, but I am just going to blame it on a bad angle... :)
Make sure you go and check out my friend Martina Wendland's interpretation of the theme! She is a really sweet person as well as a talented family and children's photographer. You will love her work!
My Girls : : Kitchener Children's Photographer
Last fall, I headed out to take a few images of my girls to add to the calendar that I make for my parents, in-laws and grandma every year for Christmas. My mother liked them so much that she chose one to print and sent copies to all of our friends and family in her Christmas card. So this year, when she casually asked if I was going to have an updated photo to send out, I said "Sure, no problem!". So of course, I went out and spent a small fortune on matching outfits (since I know my mom loves when I dress them alike) and set a date for the shoot. I made props and chose accessories, explained the bribes carefully and away we went. I was so excited that I even invited a couple of my photographer friends with kids to come and shoot their children as well. Let's just say I was confident that we were going to have a terrific time playing in the leaves, posing playfully and feeling the love. So wrong.
I will not recount the gory details, but let's just say there were tears, tantrums, kicking and screaming and I won't even tell you how my girls behaved! ;) However, I did manage to get some shots that I love (one is already at the lab being printed as a huge canvas) and everyone made it out of the woods alive (barely), so I will put it in the books as a successful day.
My mom hasn't chosen her favourite yet, so some of you may see one of these in your mailbox soon!
This next one is my absolute FAVOURITE!
Love you girls. You are my everything.
~M
Shannon Sewell Workshop! : : St. Mary's, Ontario Children's Photographer
I was fortunate enough to secure a space at the coveted Shannon Sewell workshop, held in St. Mary's, Ontario at the gorgeous Westover Inn. Hosted by the talented Hilary of One for the Wall Photography and Angela of Angela Smith Photography, it was a day full of laughs, learning and sharing. It was nice to be with such a wonderful group of women photographers, so full of mutual admiration and support.
After a delicious lunch courtesy of the Inn's kitchen and sweet treats from Flavour Cakes , we headed outside with some adorable little models to watch Shannon in action! She is so amazing at planning every detail: from clothing to shoes to nail polish to hairstyles, she's got a definite eye for style. We were so lucky to have clothing and accessories provided by ZozoBugBaby and Lisa's Mini Mad Hattery . C-U-T-E!
I was so busy listening to Shannon and watching her work her magic that I didn't get many shots, but I do have a few to share. Thank you to our models: Claire, Asia, Nina and Lilly for being so fantastic. I am sure it was overwhelming to be surrounded by the "paparazzi"!
Thank you again to Shannon (and Hilary and Angela) for making this workshop one of the most wonderful learning experiences I have ever had in my life. I am looking forward to next year! ;)
~ M
Ethan : : Kitchener Children's Photographer
This handsome little man just happens to be my daughter's boyfriend of nearly three years. It began as a budding playdate romance and has flourished into a very committed and serious relationship. Well, at least on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons when she is being cared for by his mom after school! ;) When I was heading out for Brielle's photoshoot, Ethan wanted to tag along and gamely agreed to be my second model for the shoot. Of course, I bribed them both with Smile Cookies and donuts. I am NEVER above bribing. Ethan was absolutlely fantastic and so great at posing for me that I actually ended up with more images of him than of Brielle.
I guess if he may be my son-in-law one day, I might as well groom him now for a life of non-stop shutter snapping!
Near the end of the shoot, the young lovebirds wanted to have some pictures together....hmm, I wonder if I will be doing this for real in twenty years?
Miss Brielle : : Kitchener Children's Photographer
Of course, once Brielle saw that her sister had a "special" photo shoot, she had to have one too. So we headed out on a sunny Saturday to capture some new images for her. Actually, I am glad she wanted to do it, so I can order new canvases of both of them for the house! Brielle loves music and singing, so she wanted to have a rock-and-roll outfit for some of the pictures. I think she got the rock attitude just right.
Next she switched to a more casual ensemble, with her favourite flats and super-tight tights.
I wanted to have a little series of Brielle faces, like I did for Emery, to put together as a wall collage. What a goof!
I love you Brielle Grace Anne. You are so smart, sensitive and stubborn...just like your mother. ;)
~M